User interface for an hvac controller

ABSTRACT

An HVAC controller including a controller and a touch screen display operatively coupled to the controller. The touch screen display may include a first region and a second region. The first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. The second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display one or more selectable options in the first region of the display for selection by a user and to accept selection of a displayed selectable option by detecting a user touch of the displayed selectable option via the touch screen display.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/266,552, filed Apr. 30, 2014 and entitled “Display Sub-Assembly ForAn HVAC Controller”, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/817,777, filed Apr. 30, 2013 and entitled“Thermostat Systems and Methods”, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to electronic devices, and moreparticularly to improved use, assembly, construction, and reliability ofsuch electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning(HVAC) control panels, security system control panels, lighting controlpanels, irrigation control panels as well as other electronic devicesare commonly used today. What would be desirable is an electronic devicethat has improved ease of use, ease of assembly, better constructionand/or increased reliability over what is available today.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to electronic devices such as HVAC controllerdevices, and more particularly, to improved use, interface, assembly,construction, and reliability of such electronic devices.

In one example, an HVAC controller may include a controller and a touchscreen display operatively coupled to the controller. The touch screendisplay may include a first region and a second region. The first regionmay have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and aplurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. Thesecond region may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphicalicons. The controller may be configured to display one or moreselectable options in the first region of the display for selection by auser. In some cases, the controller may be capable of acceptingselection of a displayed selectable option by detecting a user touch ofthe displayed selectable option via the touch screen display.

In another example, an HVAC controller may include a controller and atouch screen display operatively coupled to the controller. The touchscreen display may include a first region and a second region. The firstregion may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and aplurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. Thesecond region may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphicalicons. The controller may be configured to display one or moreprogrammable options in the first regions of the display for section bya user, where the programmable options may be used to set settings thatare used for controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality ofthe HVAC controller. In some cases, the controller may be configured toaccept selection of a displayed programmable option by detecting a usertouch of the displayed programmable option via the touch screen display.In some cases, the controller may be configured to display a predefinedfixed segment graphical icon of a button in the second region of thetouch screen display. Illustratively, the touching of the button in thesecond region of the display may cause the controller to highlight adifferent programmable option in the first region of the touch screendisplay.

In yet another example, an HVAC controller may include a controller anda touch screen display operatively coupled to the controller. The touchscreen display may include a first region and a second region. The firstregion may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and aplurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. Thesecond region may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphicalicons. The controller may be configured to display one or moreselectable options in the first region of the display for selection by auser. In some cases, the controller may be configured to display apredefined fixed segment graphical icon of a button in the second regionof the touch screen display. Illustratively, the touching of the buttonin the second region of the display may cause the controller tohighlight a selectable option in the first region of the touch screendisplay.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is notintended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosurecan be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, andabstract as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing description of various illustrative embodiments in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative thermostat assembly;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the illustrative thermostat assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the illustrative thermostat assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the illustrative thermostat assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the illustrative thermostat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the illustrative thermostat assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a back view of the illustrative thermostat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first sub-assembly hingedly openedfrom a second sub-assembly of the illustrative thermostat assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first sub-assembly of FIG.8 separated from the second sub-assembly;

FIG. 10 is an exploded front view of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded back view of the illustrative thermostat assemblyof FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a wall plate sub-assembly of theillustrative thermostat assembly of FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 13 is perspective back view of a sub-assembly of an illustrativethermostat assembly of FIGS. 10-11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded view of the back of a housing orenclosure and the printed circuit board of the illustrative thermostatassembly of FIGS. 1-13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view the back of the housing or enclosure ofthe illustrative thermostat assembly of FIGS. 1-13;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative displaysub-assembly;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing features of the illustrativedisplay sub-assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of an illustrative frame of the illustrativedisplay sub-assembly;

FIG. 19 is a back view of the illustrative frame of the illustrativedisplay sub-assembly;

FIG. 20 is a perspective partial back view of the illustrative frame ofthe illustrative display sub-assembly;

FIG. 21 is a perspective front view of an illustrative light guide plateof the illustrative display sub-assembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective back view of the illustrative guide plate ofthe illustrative display sub-assembly;

FIGS. 23-28 are perspective top views of different displays mounted inthe frame of the illustrative display assembly;

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram for an illustrative thermostat assemblythat is set the wiring terminals of the thermostat assembly to a safestate when a main thermostat sub-assembly is removed from a wall platesub-assembly;

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method of operating athermostat assembly;

FIG. 31 is a schematic flow diagram of an enrollment scheme for anillustrative thermostat;

FIGS. 32A-32AA are schematic diagrams showing an initial setup processfor an illustrative thermostat;

FIG. 33 shows an illustrative home screen for display on the displaypanel of an illustrative thermostat;

FIG. 34 shows an illustrative menu screen;

FIGS. 35-36 show an illustrative dealer information entry screen;

FIG. 37 show an illustrative password entry screen;

FIG. 38 show an illustrative installer menu screen;

FIGS. 39A-39D show illustrative sensor setup screens;

FIGS. 40-43 show illustrative view schedule screens;

FIG. 44-46 show illustrative edit schedule screens;

FIGS. 47A-47U show illustrative edit schedule screens that use anillustrative scheduling assistant routine;

FIG. 48 show an illustrative saving changes screen; and

FIGS. 49A-49G show illustrative weather screens.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of thedisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout theseveral views. The description and drawings show several examples whichare meant to be illustrative in nature.

For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relativeterms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back,upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understoodthat these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are notmeant to be limiting in any manner.

As shown in FIGS. 1-15, in one illustrative embodiment, which is notmeant to be limiting, a thermostat 10 or other electronic assembly mayhave a first sub-assembly 14 (e.g., a thermostat body or othersub-assembly) with a housing (e.g., a first housing) and a secondsub-assembly 16 (e.g., a wall plate sub-assembly or other sub-assembly)with a housing (e.g., a second housing), where the first sub-assembly 14and/or the second sub-assembly 16 may be provided individually or incombination. In the example shown, the second sub-assembly 16 may becapable of being mounted on a wall with one or more connectors (e.g.,threaded connectors or other connectors, as desired). The firstsub-assembly 14 may connect or otherwise be adjustably fixed withrespect to the second sub-assembly 16.

Illustratively, the first sub-assembly 14 may have extensions 26 capableof engaging openings 28 of the second sub-assembly 16 in a separablemanner. The extensions 26 and the openings 28 may engage one another(e.g., at a bottom of the thermostat 10) to create a hinge mechanismcapable of supporting the first sub-assembly in an opened position and,optionally, without any further connecting features, as best shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. In one example, the formed hinge mechanism may have akinematic backstop 29 and a release button or latch. Alternatively, theformed hinge mechanism with a kinematic backstop 29 may omit the buttonor latch and may be readily separable by lifting up on the firstsub-assembly 14, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In the example shown, an enclosure 12 may house features of only thefirst sub-assembly 14, only features of the second sub-assembly 16, orfeatures of the first sub-assembly 14 and features of the secondsub-assembly 16. The enclosure 12 may include various latches,extensions, openings, hinges, button, and/or other connecting featuresthat may facilitate connecting or snap together various portions of theenclosure 12 without the need for a separate fastener (e.g., a threadedmember such as screw, bolt or other fastener). Alternatively, one ormore separate fasteners (e.g., a threaded fastener) may be used toconnect one or more portions of the enclosure 12. In one example, firstsub-assembly 14 may have a button 36 with a latch 37, as best shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, where the latch 37 may engage the second sub-assembly 16and the button 36 may be pressed to release the connection between thelatch 37 and the second sub-assembly 16.

In some instances, the enclosure 12 may be formed to provide a visuallythin or minimalist appearance, as best shown in FIGS. 1-7. For example,when the thermostat 10 is mounted to a wall or other structure, thethermostat may have one or more outer side walls that taper inward andtoward the wall or other structure to which the thermostat 10 ismounted. This taper may help create the illusion that the thermostat 10is thinner than it actually is.

In some instances, the enclosure 12 may include an indicator 34 that maybe viewable from a first side 14 a of the first sub-assembly 14 (e.g.,where the first sub-assembly 14 has a first side 14 a and a second side14 b), as best shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6. In some instances, theindicator 34 may be a warning light, an indicator light indicating analert is ready to be view, or any other type of light or indicator. Insome examples, the indicator 34 may include a semi-transparent plasticmaterial covering a light source (e.g., one or more lights such as anLED) that in some cases may be capable of changing colors. In someinstances, the light may be electrically and/or mechanically connectedto a first PCB or PWB 19 that is within the enclosure 12.

In some cases, the enclosure 12 may provide one or more features thatmay capture and/or locate the first PCB or PWB 19, a second PCB or PWB20, and/or other features of the first sub-assembly 14 and/or the secondsub-assembly 16. For example, one or more projections 50 may extend fromthe interior of the enclosure 12, as best shown in FIG. 10, and engagethe first PCB or PWB 19 and/or the second PCB or PWB 20, and/or engageopenings 51 in either of the first and/or second PCB or PWB 19, 20 tofacilitate positioning the PCBs or PWBs 19, 20 and securing the PCB orPWBs 19, 20 in place within the enclosure 12.

The enclosure 12 may be made from any material and by any process, asdesired. In one example, the enclosure material may be injection moldedwith high impact polystyrene, acrylic-plexiglass, and/or any othermaterial.

In some instances, the first sub-assembly 14 may include a housing 13(e.g., a first housing) of the enclosure 12 (e.g., a plastic housing 13having a cover 13 a and a back 13 b or a housing 13 made from any othermaterial and/or with any number of separable parts, if any) and adisplay sub-assembly 24 (e.g., a touch screen display) that may bepositionable substantially within the housing 13. Among other features,the housing 13 may house a processor or controller, a batterycompartment 70, a battery power input, a wired power port, wired controlport, a wireless interface, and/or any other suitable components. Insome cases, the housing 13 may house a first printed circuit board (PCB)or first printed wiring board (PWB) 19 where the cover 13 a may bepositioned adjacent a first side 19 a of the first PCB or PWB 19, andthe back 13 b may be positioned adjacent a second side 19 b of the firstPCB or PWB 19. The second sub-assembly 16 may be configured to bereleasably secured to the first sub-assembly 14 adjacent to the back 13b of the housing 13 of the first sub-assembly 14.

A wired power port may be capable of receiving power from an optionalexternal wired power source to power the thermostat 10. A battery powerinput may be capable of receiving power from an optional battery in abattery compartment to power the thermostat 10. In some cases, thebattery power input will optionally or automatically cease drawing powerfrom the optional battery when the wired control port senses power froma wired power source. Alternatively, or in addition, the battery powerinput may be capable of optionally or automatically receiving power fromthe optional battery inserted into the battery compartment 70 when it issensed that the wired power port is not receiving power from a wiredpower source. In some instances, the processor or controller may becapable of determining from which power source power is drawn and/or maybe utilized to set optional, customizable, or automatic power drawsettings. Illustratively, the processor or controller may be configuredto operate under one or more power configurations. For example, theprocessor or controller may be capable of operating by receiving powerform only the battery power input, receiving power from only the wiredpower port, or receiving power from the battery power input and thewired power port.

The processor or controller may be capable of generating one or morecontrol signals configured to be sent to one or more HVAC components incommunication with the thermostat 10 via a wired or wireless interface.In some cases, a wireless interface may be capable of optionallywirelessly connecting the thermostat 10 directly or indirectly to theone or more HVAC components, and may be capable of providing the controlsignals generated by the processor or controller to the one or more HVACcomponents via the wireless interface. A wired control port may becapable of optionally connecting the thermostat 10 directly orindirectly to one or more HVAC components via one or more wires, and maybe capable of providing the control signals generated by the controllerto the one or more HVAC components via the one or more wires.

The processor or controller may be configured to operate under one ormore control configuration. For example, the processor or controller maybe capable of controlling one or more HVAC component using only thewired control port, using only the wireless interface, or using thewired control port and the wireless interface. In some illustrativeinstances, the wireless interface and/or the wired control port may beoptionally simultaneously or alternatively selected for communicatingcontrol signals to HVAC components in communication with the thermostat10.

The first PCB or PWB 19 may have any shape or size, as desired. In someinstances, the first PCB or PWB 19 may have a portion 38 that isconfigured to receive a memory card connector 40, as best shown in FIG.11. The portion 38 of the first PCB or PWB 19 that is configured toreceive a memory card connector 40 may have a perimeter that extends(e.g., juts out) from a main portion of the PCB or PWB 19. In oneinstance, such extension of the PCB or PWB 19 may facilitate ESDprotection of the board (and electronic components mounted on the board)while allowing for the thermostat 10 to receive an external memory card41.

In some instances, the second sub-assembly 16 may be a wall plate 18,and may include a second PCB or PWB 20 with electronic components 22(e.g., terminal blocks 33, relays, latching relays, etc., of which onlya few are illustratively labeled in the Figures) and/or other featuresor components. In some cases, one or more wires from a buildingconditioning system (e.g., a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system) may connect to a terminal block 33 or other component ofthe second PCB or PWB 20 of the second sub-assembly 16.

The wall plate 18 may facilitate securing the second PCB or PWB 20therein in a floating manner. For example, a lateral space or gap may beformed between an edge of the second PCB or PWB 20 and the wall plate18. In some instances, the floating connection between the wall plate 18and the second PCB or PWB 20 may facilitate inter-board connection(e.g., with the first PCB or PWB 19) during an installation procedure,such as when connecting the first sub-assembly 14 and the secondsub-assembly 16 (e.g., through an electrical connection and/ormechanical connection).

The first PCB or PWB 19 and the second PCB or PWB 20 may structurallycomplement one another. For example, electronic components 22 may extendfrom the first PCB or PWB 19 and/or from the second PCB or PWB byvarying distances toward the other PCB or PWB. Also, the electroniccomponents 22 may arranged on each of the PCB or PWB 19, 20 such thatthe electronic components 22 that extend a relatively far distance fromone of the PCB or PWB 19, are aligned with either no electroniccomponent of the other PCB or PWB 19, 20, or are aligned with anelectronic components 22 that extends a relatively short distance fromthe other PCB or PWB 19, 20.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first side 19 a of the first PCB or PWB19 may face the second PCB or PWB 20, and the second side 19 b may faceaway from the second PCB or PWB 20. Also, the second PCB or PWB 20 mayinclude a first side 20 a that faces the first PCB or PWB 19, and asecond side 20 b that faces away from the first PCB or PWB 19, such thatthe first side 19 a of the first PCB or PWB 19 is spaced from the firstside 20 a of the second PCB or PWB 20 by a spacing when the first PCB orPWB 19 is releasably engaged relative to the second PCB or PWB 20 viathe first sub-assembly 14 and the second sub-assembly 16. In someinstances, one or more component (e.g., an electrical or electroniccomponent or any other type of component, including but not limited toan inter-board connector 30A-30B) may be complementarily mounted to eachof the first side 19 a of the first PCB or PWB 19 and the first side 20a of the second PCB or PWB 20. In one example of complementary spacingof components, a component mounted on the first side 19 a of the firstPCB or PWB 19 may extend a first distance from the first PCB or PWB 19toward the second PCB or PWB 20, and a component mounted on the firstside 20 a of the second PCB or PWB 20 may extend a second distance fromthe second PCB or PWB 20 toward the first PCB or PWB 19 when the firstsub-assembly 14 is releasably engaged with the second sub-assembly 16.In some instances, the sum of the first distance and the second distancemay be greater than a distance of the spacing between the first PCB orPWB 19 and the second PCB or PWB 20. In some instances, the one or morecomponents mounted to the first PCB or PWB 19 and the one or morecomponents mounted to the second PCB or PWB 20 may be laterally offsetrelative to one another. In other instances, taller components on thefirst PCB or PWB 19 may align with or overlap shorter components on thesecond PCB or PWB 20 to help provide a more compact and thinner overallprofile.

One or more of the components mounted on the PCBs or PWBs 19, 20 mayinclude an inter-board connector 30A-30B. As shown in the Figures, theinter-board connector 30A may be mounted on the second PCB or PWB 20,however, additionally or alternatively, the inter-board connector 30Bmay be mounted on the first PCB or PWB 19. To facilitate electricalcommunication between the first PCB or PWB 19 and the second PCB or PWB20 via the inter-board connector(s) 30A-30B, the back 13 b of thehousing 13 may include one or more apertures 23 for accommodating theinter-board connectors 30A-30B. The inter-board connectors 30A-30B maycarry one or more signals between the first PCB or PWB 19 and the secondPCB or PWB 20. In some instances, the inter-board connectors 30A-30B maybe aligned and connected during connection of the first sub-assembly 14with the second sub-assembly 16, where such positioning may befacilitated by the hinge mechanism 32 and/or one or more other alignmentfeatures, as desired.

In some cases, the inter-board connector(s) 30A-30B may be movable oradjustable (e.g., laterally movable or adjustable) up to a predetermineddistance with respect to the first and/or second housing. Such anadjustable inter-board connector 30A-30B may accommodate an amount ofmisalignment of the first PCB or PWB 19 and the second PCB or PWB 20during connection of the first sub-assembly 14 with the secondsub-assembly 16. In one example, the PCB or PWB 19, 20 to which theinter-board connector 30AB is mounted may be movable with respect to thehousing of the sub-assembly 16 in which it is secured. In someinstances, such adjustability up to a predetermined distance of theinter-board connector 30A-30B and the PCB or PWB 19, 20 may be builtinto tolerances of the connection of the PCB or PWB 19, 20 with therespective housing, such as shown illustratively by gap 25 in FIG. 12.When so provided, the PCB or PWB 19, 20, and thus the inter-boardconnector 30A-30B, may be movable so as to better accommodatemisalignment of the first PCB or PWB 19 and the second PCB or PWB 20during connection of the first sub-assembly 14 with the secondsub-assembly 16, while still being able to connect the inter-boardconnector 30A-30B.

The second PCB or PWB 20, when provided, may be any shape or sizecapable of receiving the electronic components 22, as desired. Forexample, the second PCB or PWB 20 may have a rectangular shape and asize (e.g., a surface area or other size) that is smaller than the firstPCB or PWB 19. In some instances, the second PCB or PWB 20 may be sizedsmaller than the first PCB or PWB 19, where for example the first PCB orPWB 19 may extend laterally beyond one or more peripheral edges of thesecond PCB or PWB 20 in at least one direction to result in anon-overlapping region 27, which may provide space to accommodate abattery assembly of the first sub-assembly 14.

In one example, the non-overlapping region of the first PCB or PWB 19may include one or more battery contacts 71 (e.g., battery terminals) toconnect to one or more batteries, and/or an antenna. When batteries arepositioned within the battery contacts 71, the batteries may extend awayfrom the first side of the first PCB or PWB 19 toward the second housingof the wall plate 18 by a distance that may be greater than the spacingbetween the first PCB or PWB 19 and the second PCB or PWB 20.

In some instances, the non-overlapping region 27 of the first PCB or PWB19 may include a first portion 27 a and a second portion 27 b (see FIG.14). The first portion 27 a of the non-overlapping region 27 may includeor carry one or more batteries within the battery contacts 71, asdescribed above. The second portion 27 b may include or carry aconnector (e.g., a memory card connector 40 capable of receiving amemory card 41 and/or any other connector).

As best shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 13, the battery assembly mayinclude a battery compartment 70 that may be at least partially formedin the back 13 b of the housing 13 and may be configured to receive oneor more batteries. The battery compartment 70 may include the one ormore battery contacts 71 extending therein from the first PCB or PWB 19,and may form a cup shaped battery reservoir 72 that is capable ofcollecting leakage (e.g., leaked electrolytes) from one or morebatteries that are inserted into the battery compartment 70. When thefirst sub-assembly 14, including the battery assembly, is connected toor secured to the second sub-assembly 16, the second sub-assembly 16 maycover at least a portion (e.g., less than half, more than half,substantially all) of the battery assembly (e.g., the batterycompartment 70, the battery contacts 71, and/or the battery reservoir72). The wall plate 18 may include one or more recesses 21 that areconfigured to accommodate at least part of the one or more batteriesreceived in the battery assembly. The battery reservoir 72 may beconfigured to collect leakage, if any, from one or more batteries thatare received in the battery assembly, and allow it to pool thereinwithout leaking outside the battery compartment, such as onto one ormore electrical components of the first sub-assembly 14 and/or thesecond sub-assembly 16.

In some instances, the battery contacts 71 may extend from the first PCBor PWB 19, through the back 13 b of the housing 13 and into the batterycompartment 70. In one illustrative example, the battery compartment 70may be positioned within the thermostat 10 such that it may be locatedon or adjacent a first side 19 a of the first PCB or PWB 19, with adisplay 44 of the thermostat 10 positioned at or adjacent a secondopposite side 19 b of the first PCB or PWB 19.

The battery reservoir 72 may be defined by the battery compartment 70and may be positioned below or at least partially below the batterycontacts 71 when the first sub-assembly 14 is in an upright position.The battery reservoir 72 may have one or more parts or members, and insome cases, may be formed unitarily with the enclosure 12 or may beadded and/or connected to the enclosure 12 to collect leakage from theone or more batteries. In some instances, the battery reservoir 72 maybe formed at least partially by a releasably securable insert 74 (seeFIG. 13) that may be securable to the back 13 b of the housing 13 via aninterference connection or any other type of connection. As best shownin FIG. 15, clips 74 a, 74 b formed in the back 13 b of the housing 13may engage corresponding engagement members of the insert 74 toreleasable secure the insert 74 to the back 13 b of the housing 13 viaan interference connection. Alternatively or in addition, the batteryreservoir 72 may be entirely or at least partially unitary formed withthe back 13 b of the housing 13 or other portion of the enclosure 12, asdesired.

The battery reservoir 72 and/or the components thereof may take on anyshape configured to facilitate reception and maintenance of batteriestherein. In some illustrative instances, the battery reservoir may becup-shaped or other shape that is configured to collect leakage from oneor more batteries inserted into the battery compartment 70.

The battery reservoir 72 may provide space for the collection of batteryleakage while preventing the leakage from affect sensitive parts and/orareas where such leakage could cause failure of the thermostat 10. Inone example, when the first sub-assembly 14 is in an upright position,the battery reservoir 72 may have a crescent, cup, or other shape thatextends the length of the batteries, and in some cases, may be shapedmuch like a hollowed out canoe.

In addition to or as an alternative to the battery assembly discussedabove, the first sub-assembly 14 may have a battery receptor 80 forreceiving a battery 82 (e.g., a lithium ion battery or other battery).In some instances, the battery receptor 80 may be separable from thefirst sub-assembly 14, as shown in FIG. 14, to facilitate receivingand/or removing the battery 82 from the first sub-assembly.Illustratively, the battery receptor 80 may be inserted into and/or atleast partially removed from a side of the first sub-assembly 14. Whenthe battery receptor 80 is inserted into the first sub-assembly 14, thebattery 82 may electrically contact and/or mechanically engage batterycontacts such as battery contact 84, which may be electrically andmechanically connected to the first PCB or PWB 19. Such electricalcontact between the battery 82, the battery contacts 84, and the firstPCB or PWB 19 may facilitate powering one or more features of thethermostat 10.

The first sub-assembly 14 may be powered with one or more received orconnected batteries or other power sources (e.g., a first power source).In some cases, the second sub-assembly 16 may be powered with a wiredconnection to the power of a building (e.g., a second power source). Insome instances, the first sub-assembly 14 may be powered by the samepower source powering the second sub-assembly 16 through electronicconnection(s) between the first sub-assembly 14 and the secondsub-assembly 16 (e.g., the first power source and the second powersource may be the same power source).

The first sub-assembly 14 and the second sub-assembly 16 may includeelectronic components 22, which in some cases, may be sensitive toelectrostatic discharges (ESDs). The first PCB or PWB 19 of the firstsub-assembly 14 may be protected from ESDs by the enclosure 12 and/orthrough conductors in or about the display 44 and/or touch screen 46, asdiscussed further below. The second PCB or PWB 20 of the secondsub-assembly 16 may be protected from ESDs in a similar manner to thefirst PCB or PWB 19 and/or configured such that it is substantiallyinsensitive to ESDs due to its remote positioning or location within theenclosure 12 with respect to portions of the thermostat 10 with whichusers typically interact. In some cases, the second PCB or PWB 20includes electrical components that are not susceptible, or far lesssusceptible, to damage caused by ESD, such as terminal blocks, relays,etc.

Illustratively, the first PCB or PWB 19 may be positioned adjacent theback side 24 b of a display sub-assembly 24 (e.g., adjacent a reflectivelayer 45, e.g. reflective foil or other reflective layer). The displaysub-assembly 24 (e.g., a touch screen display) of the first sub-assembly14 may have a front side (e.g., a viewing side) 24 a and a back side(e.g., a non-viewing side) 24 b, as shown in FIG. 16, and conductivetrace(s) 56 (further discussed below) on the front side 24 a of thedisplay sub-assembly 24 may be in electrical connection with one or moretails 64 (e.g., a flexible electrical connector or any other type ofconnector) that may mechanically and/or electrically connect to thefirst PCB or PWB 19 (and/or the second PCB or PWB 20) to provide anelectrical path from the conductive trace(s) 56 to a ground plane orother grounding feature of the PCB or PWB 19, 20. In some instances, theconductive trace(s) 56 may be configured to collect ESD entering betweenthe front side 24 a of the display sub-assembly 24 and the housing 13,and to deliver the collected ESD to the grounding plane or othergrounding feature of the PCB or PWB 19 via the tail 64 or otherelectrical connector.

With reference to FIG. 16, the display sub-assembly 24 may include,among other features, a backlight system 42 (e.g., including a backlightguide plate 43 for providing a backlight to the display 44 and areflective layer 45), a display 44 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, or other display), a touchscreen 46 (e.g., an indium tin oxide (ITO) touch screen or other type oftouch screen), and/or a frame 58 having connectors 48 for aligningand/or connecting features of the display sub-assembly 24 and/ormechanically connecting, releasably connecting, and/or removably fixingthe display sub-assembly 24 to the first PCB or PWB 19. Additionally, oralternatively, the frame 58 may include one or more protrusions capableof mating with concave features 54 of the backlight guide plate 43.

In instances where the display sub-assembly 24 may include a touchscreen 46, a display 44, a frame 58, a backlight guide plate 43, and areflective layer 45, the front side 24 a may be formed at leastpartially by the touch screen 46 and the back side 24 b may be formed atleast partially by the reflective layer 45. Alternatively or inaddition, one or more of the features of the display sub-assembly 24discussed herein or other features added to the display sub-assembly 24may form the front side 24 a and/or the back side 24 b thereof, asdesired.

Illustratively, the frame 58 may be a plastic frame or other type offrame. With reference to FIGS. 16-20, the frame 58 may include a frontside 58 a, a back side 58 b, and side walls (e.g., top side wall 58 c,bottom side wall 58 d, and lateral side walls 58 e) that may extend fromthe front side 58 a to the back side 58 b of the frame 58 and form aspace 59 therewithin, as best shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. When positionedin the first sub assembly 14, the front side 58 a of the frame 58 mayface away from the first PCB or PWB 19 and the back side 58 b of theframe 58 may face toward the first PCB or PWB 19.

One or more of the side walls of the frame 58 may include one or morereflective features 63, where the reflective features 63 may be shapedto reflect and/or distribute incident light across at least part of theof the backlight guide plate 43, the display 44, and/or the touch screen46. As best shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the top side wall 58 c of theframe 58 may include a plurality of reflective features 63. In somecases, the reflective features 63, to the extent there are two or morereflective features on the frame 58, may be substantially equally,equally, or irregularly spaced across one or more sides of the display44 and/or touch screen 46 when the display 44 and/or the touch screen 46are positioned within the frame 58 to substantially equally spread lightacross the display and/or focus light on one or more particularlocations, as desired.

The reflective features 63 may have any shape and/or may take on anyconfiguration with respect to the frame 58. For example, the reflectivefeatures 63 may be formed integrally with the frame 58 or may beseparate features connected to the frame 58. The reflective features 63may have a shape that directs reflected light in a particular manner. Inone example, the reflective features 63 may be at least partiallycone-shaped and/or may be convex from a back side 58 b perspective tospread reflected light about one or more of the touch screen 46, thedisplay 44, and/or the backlight guide plate 43.

The backlight guide plate 43 may have a front side 43 a and a back side43 b, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. In some cases, back side 43 b of thebacklight guide plate 43 may be affixed to the reflective layer 45 withadhesive and/or through other mechanisms.

One or more recesses of the backlight guide plate 43 may correspond orbe in registration with one of the one or more reflective features 63 ofthe frame 58. In some cases, the one or more recesses may have a shapethat is configured to mate with a corresponding reflective feature 63 ofthe frame 58 such that light passing through the one or more recessesmay be reflected and spread out by the reflective features 63 of theframe 58.

In some instances, the backlight guide plate 43 may allow light from oneor more light sources 52 (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), or otherlight sources connected to the first PCB or PWB 19 or other lightfeatures) to pass through one or more holes or openings 68 in thereflective layer 45, where the holes or openings 68 may be inregistration with the one or more recesses of the backlight guide plate43, so as to allow light from the one or more light sources 52 to reachthe one or more recesses or concave features 54 of the backlight guideplate 43. Such light from light sources 52 may be in registration withcorresponding one or more protrusions 53 on the back side 43 b of thebacklight guide plate 43 and/or one or more recesses (e.g., at leastpartially concave features 54) on the front side 43 a of the backlightguide plate 43 to focus light on optimized portions of reflectivesurfaces of the frame 58, backlight guide plate 43, and/or reflectivelayer 45. Illustratively, the configuration of the backlight guide plate43 in communication with light from the light sources 52 may providelight to reflective features 63 of the frame 58 and/or incident light toone or more recesses of the backlight guide plate 43 from thecorresponding reflective features 63 in order to distribute the incidentlight across the backlight guide plate 43, the display 44, and/or thetouch screen 46. In some cases, the light is distributed across thedisplay such that the display appears to have an even brightness acrossthe display.

Illustratively, the display 44, the backlight guide plate 43, and/or thetouch screen 46 may be positioned at least partially within the frame58. In one example, the display 44, the backlight guide plate 43, and/orthe touch screen 46 may be at least partially positioned within thespace 59 defined by the frame 58. In some cases, one or more connectors48, as best shown in FIGS. 16-20, of the frame 58 (e.g., back stopfeatures adjacent the back side 58 b of the frame 58 or front stopfeatures adjacent the front side 58 a of the frame 58) may stop thedisplay 44, the backlight guide plate 43, and/or the touch screen 46from sliding out of the back side 58 b and/or the front side 58 a of theframe 58.

In some cases, when the display sub-assembly 24 is positioned within thefirst sub-assembly 14, the backlight guide plate 43 may be positioned atleast partially between the display 44 and the first PCB or PWB 19. Inone illustrative example of when the display sub-assembly 24 may bepositioned within the first sub-assembly 14, some of the featuresthereof may be positioned in the following order (e.g., from front toback): the touch screen 46 (e.g., a touch screen module 46), the display44 (e.g., a display module), the backlight guide plate 43, and thereflective layer 45, all secured relative to the frame 58. The frame 58may then secure the display sub-assembly 24 to the first PCB or PWB 19.In some cases, one or more connectors 48 of the frame 58 (e.g., one ormore first interference tabs 48 a, as best shown in FIGS. 16, 19, and18, on the front side 58 a and/or the back side 58 b of the frame) mayengage the first PCB or PWB 19 to releasably secure the displaysub-assembly 24 to the first PCB or PWB 19. The one or more connectors48 may releasably engage the first PCB or PWB 19 through any type ofconnection including an interference connection where the connectors 48extend through an opening or hole in the first PCB or PWB 19 to make areleasable connection and/or through any other type of suitableconnection.

In some instances, the first sub-assembly 14 may be assembled accordingto an illustrative method. In one example method, a display 44, a touchscreen 46, and/or a backlight guide plate 43 may be connected to theframe 58 with an interference connection or any other type of connectionusing one or more connectors 48 (e.g., interfering tabs 48 b or otherconnectors on the back side 58 b of the frame 58). In some cases, aninterference connection may be a snap connection. When in the frame 58,the backlight guide plate 43 may be positioned behind (e.g., toward theback side 58 b of the frame 58) the display 44. Illustratively, themethod may further include connecting the frame to the first PCB or PWB19 using an interference connection with one or more connectors (e.g.,interfering tabs 48 a or any other connectors), such that the backlightguide plate 43 is adjacent to the first PCB or PWB 19, and such that oneor more of the reflective features 63 of the frame may align with acorresponding light source 52 on the first PCB or PWB 19.

The touch screen 46 and/or the display 44 of the display sub-assembly 24may be secured within the enclosure 12 (e.g., within housing 13), asshown for example in FIG. 11, such that an ESD may have a path to aground pad or grounding feature of the first PCB or PWB 19, such thatthe ESD does not negatively affect (e.g. damage) the display 44 or othercomponents. In some cases, a conductive trace 56 along, adjacent, orparallel to a perimeter of a touch screen 46 of the display sub-assembly24 may provide a path for the ESD from the touch screen 46 or otherfeature to a grounding feature. Illustratively, the conductive trace 56may extend adjacent or along and spaced from a perimeter of the aperture15 in the housing that exposes at least part of the front side 24 a ofthe display sub-assembly 24 for viewing by a user. In one example, theconductive trace 56 may be positioned on the first side 24 a of thedisplay sub-assembly 24 between the first side 24 a and the housing 13(e.g., the cover 13 a of the housing 13).

In some cases, the touch screen 46 may include a conductive trace 56 at,around, adjacent to, spaced from, and/or parallel to a perimeter of thetouch screen 46, as best shown in FIGS. 23-28. The conductive trace 56may form a complete loop (e.g., a closed loop) or may include one ormore gaps therein so as to not form a closed loop. In an illustrativeexample, the conductive trace 56 may form a closed loop or non-closedloop and may be disposed on or adjacent the front side 24 a of thedisplay sub-assembly 24, where the conductive trace 56 may be disposedat, around, adjacent to, inward from, and/or parallel to the perimeterof the touch screen 46 forming the first side of the displaysub-assembly 24.

In some instances, no adhesive or glue is used between the conductivetrace(s) 56 and an edge of the touch screen 46 to facilitate creating anelectrical path that ESD will follow. In FIG. 23, the conductive trace56 is added on top of the touch screen 46, where new wires or traces 65on a tail 64 connect the conductive trace 56 to a ground plane or groundfeature on the first PCB or PWB 19. Alternatively, or in addition, theconductive trace 56 may be added to the display sub-assembly in anyother manner. As shown in FIG. 24, the conductive trace 56 is connectedto one of the existing wires on the tail 64. In some illustrative cases,the conductive trace(s) 56 may be spaced inward from an outer edge ofthe touch screen 46 of the display sub-assembly 24, as shown.

The conductive trace(s) 56 may be implemented in one or more of severaldifferent manners to effectively provide a path for the ESD to agrounding feature of or on the PCB or PWB 19, 20. For example, toprovide a path for an ESD to a grounding feature of or on the PCB or PWB19, 20, the conductive trace(s) 56 may extend to an edge of the display44 (see FIG. 25), strips 60 of a conductive material may be applied tothe touch screen 46 that are, or are electrically connected to, theconductive traces 56 and extend to an edge of the touch screen 46 (e.g.,thin strips that may be spaced approximately 0.2 inches apart and have awidth of 0.02 inches, or other strips configured in any manner asdesired) (e.g. see FIG. 26), openings or holes 61 may be placed in theconductive trace (e.g., holes spaced approximately 0.1 inches, 0.2inches, 0.3 inches, or any other distance apart and having a diameter ofapproximate 0.01 inches, 0.02 inches, 0.03 inches, 0.04 inches, 0.05inches, or any other diameter) (e.g. see FIG. 27), one or more portions57 (represented by the hashed lines in FIG. 28) of a foil layer 62 ofthe touch screen 46 may be removed from the edge of the touch screen 46to an outer edge of the conductive trace(s) 56 (e.g., the foil layer 62may be cut and removed from the touch screen 46) (see FIG. 28), and/orany other configuration may be utilized to use the conductive traces 56and the tail(s) 64 connected thereto to provide an electrical path to aground feature of one or more of the first PCB or PWB 19 and the secondPCB or PWB 20.

As shown in the example of FIG. 26, the conductive trace 56 may have afirst portion 56 a and a second portion 56 b, where the first portion 56a may extend substantially or entirely around the front side 24 a of thedisplay sub-assembly 24 (e.g., at or spaced from the outer edge orperimeter of the display sub-assembly 24). The second portion 56 b ofthe conductive trace 56 may include a plurality of strips 60 spaced fromone another and extending from the first portion 56 a of the conductivetrace 56 toward and/or to the outer edge or perimeter of the displaysub-assembly 24 (e.g., the outer edge or perimeter of the touch screen46 or other feature of the display sub-assembly 24).

In an illustrative method of forming an electrical ESD path between thedisplay sub-assembly 24 and the first PCB or PWB 19, a conductive trace56 may be provided on a front side 24 a of the display sub-assembly 24(e.g., the touch screen 46) adjacent a perimeter of the displaysub-assembly 24. The first PCB or PWB 19 may be positioned adjacent theback side 24 b of the display sub-assembly 24 and the conductive trace56 may be electrically connected to a grounding feature of the first PCBor PWB 19 via an electrical connector (e.g., at tail 64).

In one illustrative instance, the method may include mechanicallyconnecting and/or removably fixing the display sub-assembly 24 to thefirst PCB or PWB 19. In one example, the touch screen 46, the display44, the reflective layer 45, and the backlight guide plate 43 may beremovably fixed within the frame 58 via connectors 48 and/or otherconnectors. The display sub-assembly 24 and the frame 58 may then beremovably fixed to the first PCB or PWB 19 via connectors 48, tail 64,and/or other connectors to form a connection and an electrical ESD pathbetween the display sub-assembly 24 and the first PCB or PWB 19.

The thermostat 10 may be configured to be used with virtually allheating and cooling systems for both residential and commercialapplications. Additionally, or alternatively, the thermostat 10 may becapable of working with one or more accessories (e.g., RedLINK™accessories or any other accessory), which may allow contractors toreduce inventory costs and/or realize other business advantages. In someinstances, the thermostat 10 may be wired directly to, wired indirectlyto, and/or wirelessly connected to the accessories and/or power sources.

It is contemplated that the thermostat 10 may be powered at least inpart by using one or more batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries, AAbatteries, AAA batteries, etc.), alternating current (AC), and/or directcurrent (DC). Although the thermostat 10 may be battery powered, it mayadditionally, or alternatively, be wired for power, as referred toabove. In one example, the thermostat 10 may have a direct or indirectwired or wireless connection to HVAC equipment in a non-zoned HVACsystem and can be powered with two (2) wires (e.g., a power or hot wireand a common wire) or by battery only. In another example, thethermostat 10 may have a direct or indirect wired or wireless connectionto HVAC equipment in a zoned HVAC system and can be powered with two (2)wires (e.g., a power or hot wire and a common wire) or by battery only.In a further example, the thermostat 10 may work with an equipmentinterface module (EMI) where one or more pieces of HVAC equipment and/oraccessories may have a wired and/or wireless connection to the EIM,while the thermostat 10 is powered with two wires (e.g., a power or hotwire and a common wire) or by battery only (e.g., for a completelywireless thermostat or for other reasons). In a further example, thethermostat 10 may work with a TrueZONE™ wireless adapter or otherwireless adaptor where one or more pieces of HVAC equipment and/oraccessories may have a wired or wireless connection to a TrueZONE™ panelor other zone panel such that the thermostat may control a zone panelvia a wireless adapter, while the thermostat 10 may be powered with two(2) wires (e.g., a power or hot wire and a common wire) or by batteryonly (e.g., for a completely wireless thermostat or for other reasons).In some instances, the processor or controller of the thermostat 10 maybe programmable to send control signals for HVAC components through theEIM, the wireless adapter, the zone panel and/or directly or otherwiseindirectly to one or more of the HVAC components.

It is contemplated that latching relays may be used to provide controlsignals from the thermostat 10 and to an HVAC system or the like. Due totheir relatively low power consumption, latching relays may beparticularly useful when the thermostat 10 is battery powered. Latchingrelays, however, remain in their last state (latched state) until poweris applied to switch the state. Thus, without proper control, thelatching relays will tend to stay in their previous latched state whenbattery (or other) power is disconnected, and/or when becomingdisconnected from a controlling microcontroller. This can cause an HVACsystem to remain in a non-desirable state if either of these conditionsoccurs.

As detailed above, the second sub-assembly 16 may include a second PCBor PWB 20 with electronic components 22 (e.g., terminal blocks 33,relays, latching relays, etc., of which only a few are illustrativelylabeled in the Figures) and/or other features or components. In somecases, one or more wires from a building conditioning system (e.g., aheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system) may connect tothe terminal block 33 or other component of the second PCB or PWB 20 ofthe second sub-assembly 16. A microcontroller of the first PCB or PWB 19may generate control signals to control the state of one or morelatching relays on the second PCB or PWB 20. The one or more latchingrelays may then provide a corresponding control signal to the HVACsystem via wires connected to the terminal blocks 33. If power isdisconnected, and/or if the first sub-assembly 14 is separated from thesecond sub-assembly 16, the latching relays will remain in theirprevious latched state. This can be undesirable. For example, if theprevious latched state corresponds to a furnace “on” state, the furnacewill remain “on” until power is restored, and/or until the firstsub-assembly 14 is reconnected to the second sub-assembly 16, regardlessof the temperature in the building. This can waste energy, createuncomfortable conditions, and in some cases, can cause damage.

As seen in FIG. 29, latching relays may be connected to a microprocessoror microcontroller 69 of a thermostat 10, such that a position (e.g., anopened position or a closed position or other position) of the latchingrelays may be controlled by the microprocessor or microcontroller 69. Attimes (e.g., when dismounting a portion of the thermostat), it may bedesirable to separate the microprocessor portion (first portion 76) ofthe thermostat 10 from the other portion (e.g., second portion 78) thatincludes the latching relays. As noted above, this can cause thelatching relays to be left in an undesirable or improper position.

In some instances, the microcontroller 69 and/or other processors of thefirst portion 76 of the thermostat 10, which may or may not include ESDsensitive components, may be located on the first PWB or PCB 19 having afirst set of circuitry thereon to which the microcontroller 69 may beconnected. The second portion 78 of the thermostat 10 may include thesecond PWB or PCB 20 secured relative to a second housing 17 of thesecond sub-assembly 16, where the second portion 78 of the thermostat 10may be releasably securable to the first portion 76 of the thermostat10. The second PWB or PCB 20 may include a second set of circuitry(e.g., circuitry that may or may not include ESD sensitive components,but does include at least one or more relays, one or more capacitors,and/or one or more terminal blocks 33) capable of being powered by apower source V_(DD) (e.g., wired power, batteries, etc.), and configuredto receive one or more control signals from the first PWB or PCB 19 whenthe second portion 78 is releasably engaged with the first portion 76.The second PWB or PCB 20 may also provide one or more correspondingcontrol signals to the one or more output terminals of the secondportion 78 for control of one or more HVAC component in communicationwith the thermostat 10. In some cases, the circuitry of the second PWBor PCB 20 may be configured to set one or more output terminals of thesecond portion 78 to a predetermined state when the first portion 76 isreleased and/or at least partially disengaged from the second portion 78(e.g., disengage electrical communication from the first PWB or PCB 19to the second PWB or PCB 20). In one illustrative example, the circuitryof the second PWB or PCB 20 will automatically set the output terminalsof the second portion 78 to a predetermined state when the firstsub-assembly 14 ceases electrical communication with (e.g., is releasedand/or at least partially disengaged from) the second sub-assembly 16.

It is contemplated that latching relays 79, which may be located on thesecond PCB or PWB 20 of the second sub-assembly 16, may be properlyconfigured (e.g., configured to set the output terminals to thepredetermined state) when separated from a microprocessor ormicrocontroller 69 or the like (e.g., when the first sub-assembly 14 isseparated from the second sub-assembly 16). For example, when the firstportion 76 and the second portion 78 are engaged (e.g., in electricalcommunication), the configuration of the latching relays 79 may becontrolled by the microcontroller 69, and when the first portion 76 andthe second portion 78 become disengaged, the configuration of thelatching relays 79 may be set by circuitry on the second portion 78.

In one example of utilizing the second set of circuitry on the secondportion 78 to control the position of the latching relays 79 when thefirst sub-assembly 14 (e.g., first portion 76) becomes disengaged fromthe second sub-assembly 16 (e.g., second portion 78) (e.g., when thefirst sub-assembly 14 may be electrically disengaged from the secondsub-assembly 16), pre-set logic levels on a control bus or onappropriate terminals may position the one or more latching relays 79into a configuration that provides one or more corresponding controlsignals to the one or more output terminals of the second portion 78. Insome instances, this may be accomplished through the use of one or morepull-down resistors 85 and/or one or more pull-up resistors 77 of thesecond set of circuitry on the second PWB or PCB 20. In an illustrativeexample, the approach used to properly position the latching relays 79when the first portion 76 is disengaged from the second portion 78(e.g., position the latching relays 79 so as to turn off connectedexternal devices or position the latching relays 79 in any otherpredetermined manner) may be preordained for single-coil relays drivenby an coil 75. In some examples, the system may include two pull-downresistors 85 and one pull-up resistor 77, or other configurations ofresistors and/or electrical components capable of positioning thelatching relays in a predetermined position so as to turn off connectedexternal devices when the first portion 76 is at least partiallyelectrically disconnected from the second portion 78.

When the first portion 76 of the thermostat 10, which includes themicrocontroller 69 and/or other control circuit, is separated (e.g., atleast partially electrically separated) from the second portion 78 ofthe thermostat 10 that includes the latching relays 79, the logic levelson a control bus 73 or other terminals may no longer be set by themicrocontroller 69 as they would be when the first portion 76 of thethermostat 10 is in electrical communication with the second portion 78of the thermostat 10. With the use of appropriate pull-down 85 and/orpull-up resistors 77 (e.g., one or more pull-down resistors 85 and oneor more pull-up resistors 77), the logic levels may be automaticallycontrolled by the pull-down resistor(s) 85 and/or the pull-upresistor(s) 77 in the absence of the control signals from themicrocontroller 69. As a result, once separated, the current through therelay coils of the latching relays 79 may automatically flow accordingto predetermined logic levels in an appropriate direction to set thestate of the latching relays 79 such that all of the external devices(e.g. external device 83) are switched off. The particular state(off/on) for any particularly relay may be programmed by choosing anappropriate pull-up or pull-down resistor configuration. In someinstances, the configuration utilizing pull-down resistors and pull-upresistor(s) may allow for the elimination of an auxiliary drivingcircuit, such as a microcontroller, a logic array, etc.

Inputs to a first part (e.g., a first terminal) and/or a second part(e.g., a second terminal) of the coils 75 may be operatively coupled tocorresponding one or more control signals from the first set ofcircuitry of the first portion 76 of the thermostat 10 (e.g., from themicrocontroller 69 of the first portion 76) when the first portion 76and the second portion 78 are engaged (e.g., are electricallycommunicating). Inputs to the first terminal of the coils 75 may bepulled up by the pull-down resistors 85 through an operative coupling(e.g. inverter) therewith to VDD when the first portion 76 of thethermostat 10 is electrically disengaged from the second portion 78 ofthe thermostat 10. Inputs to the second terminal of the coils 75 may bepulled down by a pull-up resistor 77 and a power supply V_(dd) throughan operative coupling (e.g. inverter) therewith when the first portion76 of the thermostat 10 is electrically disengaged from the secondportion 78 of the thermostat 10. Thus, when the first portion 76 of thethermostat 10, which includes a microcontroller 69 or other controller,is electrically separated from second portion 78 of the thermostat 10(e.g., electrically separated), the logic levels at the control bus 73of the second portion 78 of the thermostat 10 may be automaticallydefined by the pull-down resistors 85, and the pull-up resistor 77through the operative couplings (e.g. inverters). As a result, currentmay flow in the same direction through all of the rely coils 75, forcingall latching relays 79 into the same (e.g. closed) state. When the firstportion 76 of the thermostat 10 having the microcontroller 69 isreconnected to the second portion 78 of the thermostat 10, themicrocontroller 69 (or other circuit) provides a common signal for allof the latching relays 79 to common pin 81 to over-drive the pull-upresistor 77, and the control bus 73 may over-drive the pull-downresistors 85 to pull the relay control terminals to their desiredcontrolled state.

In some cases, a capacitor or other power storage device 91 may be usedto provide power to the second portion 78 of the thermostat 10 for arelatively short duration (e.g. less than 1 hour, less than 10 minutes,less than 1 minute, less than 1 second, etc). During this relativelyshort duration, the latching relays 79 may be set to a state that turnsoff all external devices 83. Once the latching relays 79 are latchedinto an appropriate state, power from the power storage device 91 may nolonger be needed. The power storage device 91 may be a capacitor,battery or any other power storage device, as desired.

As can be seen, this circuit arrangement on second portion 78 of thethermostat 10 may allow for a simple, reliable, and low cost solution tocontrolling the state of the relays when the first portion 76 of thethermostat 10 having a microcontroller 69 or other controller isseparated from the second portion 78 of the thermostat 10 that includeslatching relays.

FIG. 30 is an illustrative method. In method 300, the first sub-assembly14 may be separated (e.g., electrically separated) from the secondsub-assembly 16, as shown at 302. As discussed above, the secondsub-assembly 16 may include one or more output terminals connected toone or more external devices (e.g., a furnace, an air conditioning unit,a humidifier, a dehumidifier, etc.). Once the second sub-assembly 16 iselectrically separated from the first sub-assembly 14, one or moreoutput terminals of the second sub-assembly 16 may be automatically setto a predetermined state, as shown at 304. In one example, the outputterminals of the second sub-assembly 16 may be automatically set to apredetermined state (e.g., such that connected external devices areturned off) by automatically setting one or more latching relays 79 ofthe second sub-assembly 16 to the predetermined state, where thelatching relays 79 are otherwise controlled with control signals fromthe first sub-assembly 14 when the first sub-assembly 14 and the secondsub-assembly 16 are releasably engaged or otherwise in electricalcommunication with each other. The first sub-assembly 14 and the secondsub-assembly 16 may be reengaged 306 such that one or more controlsignals from first sub-assembly 14 may be provided 308 to the secondsub-assembly 16. The one or more control signals may cause the secondsub-assembly 16 to provide one or more control signals to one or moreexternal devices (e.g., HVAC components or other components) via theoutput terminals of the second sub-assembly 16.

In some cases, the second side 20 b of the second PCB or PWB 20 mayinclude one or more test pads. In one illustrative example, the testpads of the second side 20 b of the second PCB or PWB 20 may beconnected and are suitable for performing functional tests of themicrocontroller 69 and/or other circuitry of the first PCB or PWB 19,and/or circuitry of the second PCB or PWB 20, when the firstsub-assembly 14 is releasably engaged with the second sub-assembly 16.

The display sub-assembly 24 may create an interface display 100 on thedisplay 44, which a user may interact with in any manner, including, butnot limited to, interacting with the interface display 100 throughtouching a screen, buttons adjacent to or on the interface display 100,a remote device, and/or though some other interaction mechanisms. Insome instances, the interface display 100 may be provided by a display44 that has a 2-dimensional array of pixels that covers the full displayarea of the display 44. In some instances, the interface display 100 maybe provided by a display 44 that is a segmented display, which includesa plurality of predefined segments that can be switched on and off togive the appearance of desired characters, icons or other graphicalfeatures. In a segmented display, the predefined segments are notarranged in a full 2-dimensional array of pixels that covers the fulldisplay area of the display 44. Rather, at least some of the predefinedsegments are elongated, define a symbol or icon, or otherwise do notfall into a simple 2-dimensional array of pixels. It is contemplatedthat the display 44 may be any suitable display panel using any suitabledisplay panel technology including, for example, Eidophor,Electroluminescent display (ELD), Electronic paper (E Ink, Gyricon),Light emitting diode display (LED), Cathode ray tube (CRT) (Monoscope),Liquid-crystal display (LCD) (TFT, LED, Blue Phase, IPS), Plasma displaypanel (PDP) (ALiS), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Liquid crystal onsilicon (LCoS), Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) (AMOLED), Organiclight-emitting transistor (OLET), Surface-conduction electron-emitterdisplay (SED), Field emission display (FED), Laser TV (Quantum dot,Liquid crystal), MEMS display (IMoD, TMOS, DMS), Quantum dot display(QD-LED), Ferro liquid display (FLD), Thick-film dielectricelectroluminescent technology (TDEL), Telescopic pixel display (TPD),Laser Phosphor Display (LPD).

In some instances, the display 44 may be a segmented display that haspredefined segments that: (1) define a 2-dimensional array of pixels ina first region or area 104 of the display 44; and (2) define segments ofsegmented characters, symbols or icons, or otherwise do not fall into asimple 2-dimensional array of pixels in a second region or area 102 ofthe display 44. For simplicity, the first region or area 104 maysometimes be referred to as a dot matrix display area, and the secondregion or area 102 may be referred to as a fixed segment display area,even though in some cases the first region or area 104 may be formedfrom an array of fixed segments that are configured as a 2-dimensionalarray of fixed segment pixels. The first region or area 104 may functionas a message center that can be used to display text based messages,animations, and/or other information. In some cases, the first region orarea 104 may be configured to only display two (2) lines of text, butthis is just one example. In some cases, the second region or area 102may encompass the remainder of the display 44 that is not part of thefirst region or area 04. In some cases, the display 44 may be an LCDdisplay panel, where each of the plurality of predefined segments inboth the first region or area 104 and the second region or area 102 areeach layed out on a substrate and independently controllable by theprocessor or controller of the first sub-assembly 14. Such an LCD panelmay consume relatively low power (e.g. suitable for battery powereddevices), and may be selectively backlit by the backlight system 42 ofthe display sub-assembly 24.

The one or more areas (e.g., the second area 102, the first area 104,and/or other areas) may be controllable with software, firmware, and/orother computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer readable medium of the thermostat 10 or other device that iscapable of communicating with the thermostat 10. In some instances, thethermostat 10 may include memory and/or a processor that is configuredto save, record, and/or operate the software, firmware, or othercomputer executable instructions.

For purposes of this disclosure, where the interface display 100 isdescribed as having first, second, and so on portions, the numericalindicators (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are meant for explanatorypurposes only and are not meant to be limiting unless otherwiseindicated. The numerical indicators may are used for clarity purposes todistinguish between one feature relative to another and the numericalindicators may be switched.

In some cases, the message center (e.g., the first area 104 with a two(2) line dot matrix area) may be capable of displaying up to three fulllines of text (e.g., three full lines of text or graphics, two fullseparate lines of text or graphics and up to two half or partial linesof text or graphics, two partial lines of text or graphics with one ormore full lines of texts or graphics, etc.). The full and/or partiallines of text or graphics may be full or partial lines in the verticaland/or horizontal directions. In one example, the first area 104 maysimultaneously display in a vertical direction an integer number ofoptions (e.g., on a full line of text or graphics) plus a fraction of anoption (e.g., on a partial line of text or graphics, on about a halfline of text or graphics, etc.). In a further example, the first area104 of the interface display 100 may simultaneously display in avertical direction two options on separate full lines of text plus afraction of a third option on a partial line of text. The optionsdiscussed herein may include, but are not limited to, lists of options,selectable options, installer setup options, sensor control options,program scheduling options, programmable options, menu list items oroptions, questions or queries, informative messages, directions, alerts,warnings, logs, other options capable of being displayed on a messagecenter, and/or any combinations thereof. Such displayable options may beused together or separate and/or may viewed or obtained by selection ofanother option.

In some cases, programmable options may be used to set settings of thethermostat 10 that may be used for controlling subsequent operationand/or functionality of the HVAC controller. As such, selection of theoptions in the first area 104 of the interface display 100 may allow auser to set or change a programmable option that may modify a subsequentoperation and/or functionality of the thermostat 10. Illustratively,subsequent operation and/or functionality of the HVAC controller mayinclude, among other features, where temperature and/or humidity issensed, how temperature and/or humidity is sensed, a schedule for theHVAC components of the HVAC controller, etc. In some cases, menu optionsmay be used to navigate to a menu that may allow a user to change anoption that modifies subsequent operation and/or functionality of thethermostat 10.

In some instances, the controller or processor of the thermostat 10 maybe programmed such that first area 104 of the user interface display 100displays one or more captions in a first line of text and a check box orother toggle box or other feature in a second row above or below the rowwith the one or more captions. An option displayed in the first area 104with a caption may be selected by touching or pressing a button of thethermostat 10 and/or by touching an active touch area in the first area104 of the user interface display 100. The button may be an definedbutton in the second area 102, a hard button that is situated adjacentto the screen, or any other suitable button. The active touch area inthe first area 104 may be an active touch area associated with thedisplayed option and may take up the entire first area 104 or a portionof the first area 104 that is less than the entire first area 104. Oncean option displayed in the first area 104 is selected, a check box ortoggle box may depict a selection has been made, for example, bydisplaying a check in a box, an X in a box, by filling in a box, and/orotherwise marking a box or about a box to indicate the displayed optionhas been selected. Additionally, or alternatively, a previously selectedbox may be deselected by touching or pressing a button of the thermostatand/or by touching an active touch area of the first area 104 that isassociated with the displayed option. Such a display of options with acheck box or toggle box may be utilized for selection of days of theweek, holidays, and/or vacation days for setting a schedule, for settingwhich air sensors to use for sensing environmental conditions, and/orfor any other option which may be selected and/or deselected. This isjust one example of how an option may be selected.

In some instances, the controller or processor of the thermostat 10 maybe programmed such that the message center (e.g., first area 104) mayprovide an instruction, a query, and/or a question or a sequence ofinstructions, queries, and/or questions (e.g., one or more queries orquestions, two or more queries or questions, etc.) to a user viewingand/or using the message center. Additionally, or alternatively, themessage center may be capable of accepting responses to queries and/orquestions, which may be processed by the processor or controller of thethermostat 10. Illustratively, responses may include a selection of adisplayed option, entering text, and/or other responses in the firstarea 104 and/or the second area 102 of the interface display 100, and/orvia one or more hard buttons of the thermostat 10.

In response to the acceptances of responses or answers, the thermostat10 may configure the processor or controller to operate under one of thethree control configurations discussed above, one or more of the twopower configurations, and/or may configure the processor or controllerof the thermostat 10 in one or more other manners. Illustratively, thequestions or queries and/or the accepting of responses or answers may bepart of one or more setup processes or other processes to identify oneor more HVAC components to be controlled by the thermostat, to identifyone or more thermostat settings, to identify one or more configurationsettings, to identify one or more power configurations, etc.

Instructions, queries, and/or questions may be utilized for any purpose,for example, for setting up a schedule of operation for the thermostat.In such instances, example instructions, queries, and/or questions mayinclude, but are not limited to: SELECT DAYS WITH SAME SCHEDULE; PRESSNEXT AFTER SELECTING DAY. (e.g., after selecting a day, this newinstruction may be displayed in the first area 104); IS SOMEONE HOME ALLDAY? NO OR YES (e.g., where NO and YES may have separate associatedactive touch areas and/or may be selectable by selecting a button incommunication with a processor or controller of the thermostat 10); WHENDOES THE FIRST PERSON WAKE UP?; WHEN DOES THE LAST PERSON LEAVE?; WHENDOES THE FIRST PERSON RETURN?; WHEN DOES THE LAST PERSON GO TO SLEEP?;SET YOUR WAKE TEMPERATURE; SET YOUR LEAVE TEMPERATURE; SCHEDULE YOUR FANTOO?; WAKE FAN SETTING; LEAVE FAN SETTING; RETURN FAN SETTING; SLEEP FANSETTING; SCHEDULE MORE DAYS?; REPEAT STEPS IF YOU WANT TO SCHEDULE MOREDAYS; REVIEW SCHEDULE?; SAVING CHANGES; and/or any other instructions,queries, and/or questions, as desired.

In some instances, the controller or processor of the thermostat 10 maybe programmed or otherwise configured to display one or more options ofthe thermostat 10 in the first area 104 of the interface display 100 forselection by a user (e.g., selectable options), as referred to above.The processor or controller of the thermostat 10 may allow a user toselect one or more options (e.g., select a single displayed option orselect between two or more options, etc.), where the options may bedisplayed in the first area 104 of the thermostat 10.

In one instance, the controller or processor of the thermostat 10 may beconfigured to display less than all of the two or more options (e.g.,display one line of an option and less than a full line of anotheroption) in the first region of the display at any given time. Any of theoptions or items displayed in the first area 104 may be available forselection by a user by one or more of touching the option andinteracting with one or more buttons.

In some cases, the controller or processor of the thermostat 10 may beprogrammed or otherwise configured to animate one or more options oritems displayed in the first area 104. For example, animated options oritems may include displayed options or items in the first area 104 thata user may scroll through. In one example, as a user scrolls through thedisplayed options or items, the options or items may appear to move in avertical, horizontal, or vertical and horizontal direction, and/or anycombination thereof including diagonal directions. Although the optionsor items may be animated in any manner, in some cases the animation ofthe one or more options or items may include incrementally moving theone or more options or items so that the one or more of the options oritems appear to move in the first area 104 of the interface display.

In some instances, the first area 104 of the interface display 100 maydisplay an option on a full line of text (e.g., an integer option)therein and one or more options on one or more partial lines of textabove and/or below the full line of text. Illustratively, the presenceof options listed on one or more partial lines of text above and/orbelow the full line of text may indicate to the user that there areadditional available options by scrolling up and/or down, respectively.In instances when an option is displayed on a partial line of text belowthe full line of text, and no option is displayed above the full line oftext, a top of the list may be indicated and further options may bedisplayed by scrolling down though the options. In instances when anoption is displayed on a partial line of text above the full line oftext, and no option is displayed below the full line of text, a bottomof the list may be indicated and further options may be displayed byscrolling up though the options.

The options or items displayed in the first area 104 may be scrolledthrough (e.g., in a direction of a partial line of text) and/or selectedby interacting with a button of the thermostat 10 and/or touching theinterface display 100 and interacting with the touch screen 46. In somecases, interacting with and/or activation of a button of the thermostat10 may cause the controller or processor of the thermostat 10 toselectively animate one or more of the options or items displayed in thefirst area 104. The button(s) of the thermostat 10 may correspond to aphysical button that may be offset from the interface display 100 and/orthe button(s) of the thermostat 10 may correspond to a button regiondefined on the interface display 100 in one or more of the first area104 and the second area 102. In one example, the second area 102 mayinclude one or more predefined touch regions, where each touch region ofthe second area 102 may correspond to a different button of thethermostat 10. Illustratively, selection of a button (e.g., an arrow114, 116 or other button) in the second area 102 of the user interfacedisplay 100 may cause the processor or controller to highlight adifferent selectable option in the first region of the user interfacedisplay 100 and touching the button multiple times may cause theprocessor or controller to highlight another selectable option in thefirst area 104 of the user interface display 100.

In some cases, the options or items displayed on the first area 104 ofthe interface display 100 may be scrolled through and/or adjusted bytouching the touch screen 46. In one example, to scroll through and/ornavigate between two or more selectable options, the processor orcontroller may be configured to recognize when a user touches theinterface display 100 and moves along the touch screen 46 (e.g., movesalong the touch screen 46 in a swiping manner, such as a dragging orpushing motion). In response to recognizing the movement along the touchscreen, the two or more options may be animated and/or scrolled throughin a vertical and/or horizontal manner. Additionally, or alternatively,the processor or controller of the thermostat 10 may recognize swipingmotions on the touch screen 46 within the first area 104 of theinterface display 100 and may display one or more next screens in asequence of screens (e.g., when setting a schedule, when setting up thethermostat, and/or when using other sequences of screens).

In some cases, the processor or controller may be configured to accept aselection of a displayed option by detecting a user touch of thedisplayed selectable option via the touch screen 46. In some cases, theprocessor or controller of the thermostat 10 may define an active toucharea for each selectable option (e.g., touch selectable option)displayed on the display 44 of the thermostat 10 (e.g., a touchselectable option displayed on the first area 104 and/or the second area102 of the interface display 100). The active touch area for eachselectable option may or may not be viewable in normal use of thethermostat 10. In one example, when two or more selectable options aredisplayed simultaneously on the first area 104 of the interface display100, the processor or controller may define an active touch area foreach of the two or more selectable options such that if a user touchesthe interface display 100 within a defined active touch area theassociated selectable option will be selected.

In some instances, the processor or controller may highlight a selectedselectable option in response to receiving a user touch within an activetouch area and/or in response to receiving any other selection signalfor a particular selectable option or set of options. The highlightedportion 165 may represent the entirety of the active touch areaassociated with the selectable option, as best shown in FIG. 34.Alternatively, the highlighted portion may not represent the entirety ofthe active touch area associated with the selectable option. In oneexample of highlighting a selectable option, the processor or controllermay be configured to highlight a selectable option response to receivinga first user touch at a position of the interface display 100 associatedwith a selectable option (e.g., within an active touch area) and thenselecting the selectable option upon a second touch by a user or by atouch and hold by a user, where selecting the selectable option mayinclude the thermostat 10 (e.g., the controller or processor thereof)performing an action associated with the selected selectable option.

In an illustrative method, a first selectable option may be displayed inthe first area 104 of the interface display 100 of the thermostat 10. Auser may provide an input and the thermostat 10 may accept they input,where the input may correspond to interacting with the first selectableoption. In response to accepting the input from the user, the controllermay animate the first selectable option (e.g. move horizontally orvertically off the screen) and animate a second selectable option (e.g.move horizontally or vertically onto the screen) in the first area 104of the interface display 100 of the thermostat 10. Further, a user mayprovide an input that relates to the second selectable option, and thecontroller or processor of the thermostat 10 may accept the input fromthe user and select the second selectable option. In some instances, thesecond selectable option may be highlighted and/or a new display may bedisplayed in response to the selection of the second selectable option.

As shown for example in FIG. 33, and similarly shown in FIG. 32O, anillustrative home screen 138 may be displayed on the interface display100. In the second area 102, several active touch and/or interactivefeatures may be displayed. For example, a time 140, a following scheduleindicator 142, a current temperature 144, a current humidity 146, ascheduled temperature 148, temperature setting arrows 150, a home button152, a fan button 154, a system button 156, a menu button 158, and/orother active and/or interactive features may be displayed in the firstarea of the interface display 100. In the home screen 138 (see FIG.32O), the first area 104 may be capable of displaying the active system(e.g., Heat, as shown for example in FIG. 32O) and 33, Cool, Auto, Off,and/or other system) currently being controlled by the thermostat 10.

In some instances and on some screens, the interface display 100 mayinclude any number of fixed controls in the second area 102 tofacilitate creating and/or modify text characters. For example, theinterface display 100 may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.fixed controls in the second area 102, as desired. In one example, theinterface display 100 may include six (6) fixed controls in the secondarea 102, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 (e.g., with respect to a dealername screen, but such fixed controls may be used with respect to otherscreens). The six (6) fixed controls in the second area 102 of FIG.35-36 may include, but are not limited to, a left arrow 134 and a rightarrow 136 below the first area 104 to move within the text, an up arrow114 and a down arrow 116 on the side of the first area 104 or other areato scroll through characters, and an up arrow 168 to switch from lowercase letters to upper case letters (as shown for example in FIG. 35) anda down arrow 166 to switch from upper case letters to lower caseletters, (as shown for example in FIG. 36). Alternatively, arrows 166and 168 may facilitate switching between other types of character sets.In some cases, one or more (e.g., two (2)) buttons (e.g., a deletebutton 170 and a space button 172) may be positioned within the secondarea, which may be pressed or selected to create empty spaces before,after, and/or between characters and/or to delete characters.

Returning to FIG. 33, the second area 102 of the interface display 100may include one or more active touch areas. For example, these activetouch areas may include, but are not limited to the time 140 area whichmay be selected to go directly to a set time/set date screen, thecurrent humidity level 146 area (e.g., a current indoor humidity levelor a current outdoor humidity level) to go to a humidification screen, adehumidification screen, or a menu listing HUMIDIFICATION andDEHUMIDIFICATION, the following schedule text area 142 which may beselected to go directly to a menu screen 174 (see FIG. 34) with the EDITSCHEDULE item highlighted, a READING AT REMOTE (not shown) text areawhich may be select to display the question CANCEL READING AT REMOTE? inthe first area 104 of the interface display 100, a program time area 194(see FIG. 47) in the view schedule mode which may be selected to revertthe interface display 100 to the edit schedule mode (see FIG. 40) inwhich the beginning time for time period of an HVAC system schedule maybe set, the program temperature areas 178, 180 (see FIG. 47) in the viewschedule mode which may be selected to revert the interface display 100to the edit schedule mode (see FIG. 40) in which a temperature for atime period of an HVAC system schedule may be set, and/or other activetouch areas utilized for other purposes, as desired.

In one example, when the thermostat 10 is setup for humidification andnot dehumidification and a user presses or selects the current humiditylevel area 146, the interface display 100 of the thermostat 10 may godirectly to a humidification setting screen (not shown) from which auser may be able to adjust all humidification settings. In an examplewhere the thermostat 10 is setup for dehumidification and nothumidification and a user presses or selects the current humidity levelarea 146, the interface display 100 of the thermostat 10 may go directlyto a dehumidification setting screen from which a user may be able toadjust all dehumidification settings. In a further example, where thethermostat 10 is setup for humidification and dehumidification and auser presses or selects the current humidity level area 146, theinterface display 100 of the thermostat 10 may go directly to the menuscreen 174 with a humidification item highlighted in the first area 104of the interface display 100. A user may then press or select the selectbutton 160 to go to the humidification setting screen or scroll untilthe dehumidification item is highlighted and then press or selected theselect button 160 to go to the dehumidification settings screen.

In some instances as discussed, the first area 104 may be an activetouch sensitive area of the interface display 100. Allowing the firstarea 104 to be an active touch sensitive area may allow for buttons,text, and/or other features in the second area 102 of the interfacedisplay 100 to be larger and/or easier for users to interact with. Theactive touch sensitive area of the interface display 100, may beutilized for the following operations, among others: 1) select a systemmode; 2) select a fan mode; 3) pressing on a highlighted item in a menulist in the first area 104 to go to a screen for the highlighted item;4) pressing PRESS HERE TO START OCCUPANCY in the first area 104 to go toan occupied period when the thermostat is setup for Initiate Occupancy;5) pressing an hour, a minute, a month, a day, a year numbers to makethe pressed item the active item that can be changed by pressing orselecting the up button 114 and/or down button 116 when in a settime/date screen; 6) pressing the day, month, year numbers to make thepressed item the active item that can be changed by pressing orselecting the up button 114 and/or the down button 116 when in vacationmode to change the selected item when in vacation mode setup screens; 7)pressing a message of PRESS HERE TO RESET TIMER in the first area 104 toreset a reminder when reminders are selected from a preferencesmode/screen; 8) pressing a message of 1 ALERT ACTIVE. PRESS HERE FORINFORMATION in the first area 104 when an alert is active to go to moredetailed information about the active alert; 9) pressing on a check boxin the first area 104 for selecting a holiday when the thermostat issetup for commercial use; 10) pressing a message of PERIOD CANCELED,PRESS TO RESTORE in the first area 104 to restore a program period afterit has been canceled when in the change schedule screen 182; 11)pressing a message of PRESS HERE TO EDIT in the first area 104 to entercustom reminder setup and/or dealer information setup during installersetup; and 12) pressing on the word DELETE or SPACE in the first area104 to delete a letter or add a space, respectively, while in the customreminder and/or dealer information setup screens.

In some instances, the first area 104 may be navigated with swipingmovements and/or direct interaction with features therein. In oneexample, in addition to or as an alternative to using an up arrow 114, adown arrow 116, a left arrow 134, a right arrow 136, a back button 118,a next button 120, and/or other feature adjacent the first area 104, auser may be able to swipe their finger(s), a stylus or other tool acrossand/or within the first area 104 to move to a next screen and/or scrollthrough a list. The list may move in an animated manner, if desired, tohelp give the visual effect of scrolling through the list the swipeddirection. Alternatively, or in addition, a user may be able tohighlight and/or select one or more options listed in the first area 104by touching the one or more desired options within the first area 104with a finger(s), a stylus and/or other tool.

The thermostat 10 may use one or more of several menus to access usersettings and/or installer settings. From the home screen 138 (see FIG.33) and/or other screens, these menus may be accessed by selecting themenu button 158. Once the menu button 158 has been selected, a list ofmenus may be displayed in the first area 104 of the interface display100, which may be scrolled through with the up arrow 114 and/or the downarrow 116 as shown in for example FIG. 34. The list of menus mayinclude, but is not limited to: EDIT SCHEDULE, VIEW SCHEDULE, VACATIONMODE, HOLIDAY SCHEDULE, HOLIDAY MODE, EQUIPMENT STATUS, DATE/TIME,PREFERENCES, CLEAN SCREEN, SECURITY SETTINGS, DEALER INFORMATION,INSTALLER OPTIONS, MAIN MENU, INSTALLER SETUP, WIRELESS MANAGER and/orother menus.

When a desired menu item is highlighted (e.g., EDIT SCHEDULE, as shownin FIG. 34), a select button 160 positioned in the second area 102 orother area of the interface display 100 may be pressed or selected to goto a screen for the highlighted menu item. Alternatively, or inaddition, a user may tap the first area 104 to select the highlightedmenu item. Once a menu item has been selected, further sub-menu items oroptions may be provided that are classified under the selected menu itemand/or the interface display 100 may allow for a respective adjustmentto thermostat 10 in response to the selection.

The menus of thermostat 10 depicted in the first area 104 of theinterface display 100 may have vertical animation that may allow forscrolling through the lists of menus and/or options. Although the firstarea 104 may only display two (2) lines of text, the first area 104 maydisplay virtually any number of items in a menu list. In some instances,the first area 104 may display the list such that a first item 162 onthe list is entirely viewable and a second item 164 on the list is onlypartially viewable (see FIG. 34). The partially viewable item on thelist may indicate to the user that there are further items in the list.The partially viewable item may be below or above the fully viewableitem.

The vertical animation may allow the list of menu items to be scrolledthrough by pressing or selecting the down arrow 116 and/or the up arrow114, while allowing a user to visually see that they are moving up ordown through the menu list. Pushing the down arrow 116 may make the menulist move up, which in turn may make a user think they are heading tothe bottom of the menu list. Pushing the up arrow button may make themenu list move down, which in turn may make a user think they areheading to the top of the menu list.

In some instances, the vertical animation may facilitate a user indistinguishing between two similar menu items or menu items that mayhave the same name. Because the menu item may appear to physically movewhen the up arrow 114 and/or the down arrow 116 are pressed, the usermay be able to see that they have moved onto the next menu item in thelist. In one example, when a user is in a WIRELESS MANAGER menu and isviewing connected devices including multiple indoor sensors with thesame or similar name, if the first area 104 did not have verticalanimation, the user may not be able to tell how many remote indoorsensors are connected to the thermostat because the screen would notchange at all when the up arrow 114 and/or the down arrow 116 arepressed or selected in a static screen. Rather than scrolling throughthe menu items using one or more buttons in the second area 102, it iscontemplated that a user may scroll through the items by making aswiping gesture in the first area 104, as further described herein.

Similar to the vertical animation of first area 104 of the interfacedisplay 100, the first area 104 may have and/or utilize horizontalanimation. The horizontal animation of the first area 104 may beutilized to visually indicate when a user is moving forward or movingbackward in a setup process or other process. In one example, when anext button 120 is pressed or selected, the text in the first area 104may slide to the left and when the back button 118 is pressed orselected, the text in the display may slide to the right. The horizontalanimation may be used in, among other places, installer setup, programscheduling (e.g., when using a scheduling assistant), setting a vacationhold, etc.

Upon initial set up when the thermostat 10 is first powered on and/or atother times, the interface display 100 may take a user (e.g., acontractor or other user) through an enrollment scheme 106. As shown forexample in FIG. 31, the enrollment scheme 106 may include a connectionsetting portion 108, an accessory enrollment portion 110 (e.g., aRedLINK™ enrollment portion that may include identification of thethermostat(s) and/or accessories), and a thermostat setup portion 112.

The connection setting portion 108 may include one or more of severalscreens depicted on the interface display 100, where each step or screenmay have a Setup# area 124. As shown for example in FIG. 32A, one screenmay allow a user to select the application in which the thermostat 10will be primarily used (e.g., residential, commercial, or other use ofthe thermostat 10) in setup#101. The application may be selected byscrolling through a list of applications (e.g., residential, commercial,etc.) and when the application is highlighted in the first area 104, anext button 120 (e.g., a button may be a mechanical button or, as shownin the Figures, may be a button on the touch sensitive interface display100) may be pressed or selected to go to a next screen.

Once an application has been selected, the connection setting portion108 may ask a user to select a device name for thermostat 10 inSetup#103, as shown for example in FIG. 32B. One or more device namesmay be in a list through which a user may scroll with the up arrow 114and/or down arrow 116. The list may include the following device names,among others: THERMOSTAT 1, THERMOSTAT 2, THERMOSTAT 3, THERMOSTAT 4,THERMOSTAT 5, THERMOSTAT 6, THERMOSTAT 7, THERMOSTAT 8, UPPER LEVEL,UTILITY ROOM, WINE CELLAR, WORKSHOP, ZONE 1, ZONE 2, ZONE 3, ZONE 4,ZONE 5, ZONE 6, ZONE 7, ZONE 8, AHU 1, AHU 2, AHU3, AHU 4, AHU 5, AHU 6,AHU 7, AHU 8, BAR, BASEMENT, BATHROOM, BATHROOM 1, BATHROOM 2, BATHROOM3, BOAT HOUSE, BOILER 1, BOILER 2, CHAPEL, COMMON ROOM, COMPUTER ROOM,CONFERENCE RM, CRAWL SPACE, DINING ROOM, DINING ROOM 1, DINING ROOM 2,DRESSING ROOM, ENTRANCE, EXERCISE ROOM, FOYER, GAME ROOM, GARAGE, GYM,HALLWAY, KITCHEN, KITCHEN 1, KITCHEN 2, LAUNDRY ROOM, LIBRARY, LOBBY,LOWER LEVEL, MACHINE ROOM, MAIN LEVEL, MAIN OFFICE, MEDIA ROOM, MEETINGROOM, MUSIC ROOM, NURSERY, OFFICE, OFFICE 1, OFFICE 2, OFFICE 3, OFFICE4, OFFICE 5, OFFICE 6, OFFICE 7, OFFICE 8, OPEN AREA 1, OPEN AREA 2,PLAY ROOM, POOL ROOM, REC ROOM, SERVER 1, SERVER 2, SPA, STOCK ROOM,STORAGE ROOM, STUDIO, SUN ROOM, THEATER, etc. The device name may beselected by scrolling through the list of device names and when thedesired device name is highlighted in the first area 104, a next button120 may be pressed or selected to go to a next screen. Alternatively, ifit is desired to go to a previous screen, the back button 118 may beselected. If help is needed in selecting a device name, a help button122 may be selected whereupon additional help information may bedisplayed to the user in the first area 104.

Once a device name has been selected, the connection setting portion 108may ask a user to select whether the HVAC system is zoned in Setup#110,as shown for example in FIG. 32C. A user may scroll between YES and NOwith the up arrow 114 and/or down arrow 116. The YES or NO option may beselected when the desired option is highlighted in the first area 104and a next button 120 is pressed or selected to go to a next screen. Ifit is desired to go to a previous screen, the back button 118 may beselected. If help is needed, a help button 122 may be selected.

If the HVAC system is not zoned, the accessory enrollment portion 110may ask a user to select whether the thermostat 10 controls an equipmentmodule in Setup#120, as shown for example in FIG. 32D. A user may scrollbetween YES and NO with the up arrow 114 and/or down arrow 116. The YESor NO option may be selected when the desired option is highlighted inthe first area 104 and a next button 120 is pressed or selected to go toa next screen. If it is desired to go to a previous screen, the backbutton 118 may be selected. If help is needed, a help button 122 may beselected.

If an equipment module system is not used, the accessory enrollmentportion 110 may ask a user to select whether to connect accessories tothe thermostat 10, as shown for example in FIG. 32E. A user may select aYES button 128 or a NO button 130 in the second area 102.

If no accessories will be connected to the thermostat 10, the thermostatsetup portion 112 may ask a user to press or select a NEXT button 120 tobegin installer setup, as shown for example in FIG. 32J. In someinstances, the interface display 100 may display a message in the firstarea 104 or any other area indicating PRESS NEXT TO BEGIN THE INSTALLERSETUP OR INSERT A MICROSD CARD NOW TO SETUP THE THERMOSTAT.Alternatively, one or more other messages may be displayed. If a memorycard is to be used for thermostat setup, a user may insert a memory card(e.g., a microSD card) to setup the thermostat 10.

If accessories are to be connected to the thermostat 10, the accessoryenrollment portion 110 may ask a user to TURN ON 24 VAC POWER NOW, THENPRESS NEXT. 24 VAC IS REQUIRED TO CONNECT REDLINK™ ACCESSORIES, as shownfor example in FIG. 32P. In some instances, only two (2) lines of themessage may be displayed in the first area 104, as shown for example inFIG. 32P, and the down arrow 116 and/or the up arrow 114 may be selectedor pressed to scroll through the rest of the message. If it is desiredto go to a previous screen, the back button 118 may be selected.

Once the power has been turned on and the next button 120 has beenselected or pressed, an enroll mode may be entered and a screen may bedisplayed indicating the system is preparing to add a device, as shownfor example in FIG. 32Q. If it is decided that a device will not beadded at this time, a cancel button 132 may be pressed or selected andthe system will go to the thermostat setup portion 112. If it is desiredto add a device, once the systems has been prepared to add a device, theinterface display 100 will be displayed asking a user to press connect anew accessories, as shown for example in FIG. 32R. Once connect, and thenew accessories has been pressed, and the system has recognized aconnection (e.g., as evidenced by a connection signal on the accessoryand/or the thermostat 10 or other device), the done button 126 may bepressed or selected to go to a wireless device manager. Once a user hasinteracted with the wireless device manager, as desired, to set up theaccessory, the interface display 100 may advance to a thermostat setupportion 112.

If the connection between the thermostat 10 and the accessory hasfailed, a screen may be displayed on the interface display indicatingthe thermostat 10 is UNABLE TO ADD DEVICES. ANOTHER PRODUCT IS IN THEPROCESS OF ADDING DEVICE. PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER, as shown for examplein FIG. 32S. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more other messagesmay be displayed indicating a connection has failed. In some instances,only two (2) lines of the message may be displayed in the first area 104and the down arrow 116 and/or the up arrow 114 may be selected orpressed to scroll through the rest of the message, or the message mayscroll automatically (as could any other message that does not entirelyfit within the two lines of the first area 104). Once the message hasbeen displayed, the interface display 100 may return to the screenasking if accessories are to be connected, as shown for example in FIG.32E. If it is desired to go back a screen, the back button 118 may beselected or pressed. Alternatively, pressing or selecting the backbutton may bring a user to the screen asking if accessories are to beconnected, as shown for example in FIG. 32E.

If an equipment module system is to be used, the accessory enrollmentportion 110 may ask a user to press or select a next button 120 to beginconnecting the thermostat 10 to the equipment module, as shown forexample in FIG. 32F. In some instances, the interface display 100 maydisplay a message in the first area 104 or any other area indicatingPRESS CONNECT AT EQUIPMENT MODULE THEN PRESS NEXT. Alternatively, one ormore other messages may be displayed. If it is desired to go to aprevious screen, the back button 118 may be selected. If help is needed,a help button 122 may be selected. Once the next button 120 has beenselected to begin connecting the thermostat 10 to the equipment module,a screen may show that the thermostat 10 is being connected to theequipment module, as shown for example in FIG. 32G.

If connecting the thermostat 10 to the equipment module is unsuccessful,a screen may display a message indicating that the connection failed, asshown for example in FIG. 32I. If the connection failed due to a weaksignal, the screen may show a message indicating CONNECTION FAILED.VERIFY THE CONNECT LED ON THE EQUIPMENT INTERFACE MODULE IS FLASHING ANDYOU ARE AT LEAST 2 FEET AWAY. TRY CONNECTING AGAIN. If the connectionfailed due to an incompatible host, the screen may show a messageindicating CONNECTION FAILED. THE DEVICE YOU ARE ATTEMPTING CONNECT ISNOT COMPATIBLE WITH THIS DEVICE. PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPATIBLEDEVICES. If the connection failed due to an invalid instance, the screenmay show a message indicating CONNECTION FAILED. THE THERMOSTAT ISCURRENTLY SETUP TO AN EQUIPMENT INTERFACE MODULE BUT YOU ATTEMPTED TOCONNECT TO A TRUEZONE™ WIRELESS ADAPTER. PRESS AND RELEASE THE CONNECTBUTTON AT THE TRUEZEON™ WIRELESS ADAPTER TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE WIRELESSSETUP MODE. NEXT, PRESS AND RELEASE THE CONNECT BUTTON AT THE EQUIPMENTINTERFACE MODULE AND VERIFY THE CONNECTED led FLASHES GREE. THEN TRYCONNECTING THE THERMOSTAT AGAIN. If the connection failed due to anon-virgin host, the screen may show a message indicating CONNECTIONFAILED. ALL DEVICES MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE EQUIPMENT INTERFACE BEFOREYOU TRY CONNECTING THE THERMOSTAT. TO REMOVE ALL DEVICE, PRESS AND HOLDTHE CONNECT BUTTON ON THE EQUIPMENT INTERFACE MODULE UNTIL THE STATLIGHT GLOWS AMBER (HOLD FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS). AFTER ALL DEVICES AREREMOVED, THEN TRY CONNECTING THE THERMOSTAT TO THE EQUIPMENT INTERFACEMODULE. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more other messages may bedisplayed indicating a connection has failed. In some instances, onlytwo (2) lines of the message may be displayed in the first area 104 andthe down arrow 116 and/or the up arrow 114 may be selected or pressed toscroll through the rest of the message. Once the message has beendisplayed, the interface display 100 may ask a user to press or select anext button 120 to restart connecting the thermostat 10 to the equipmentmodule, as shown for example in FIG. 32F. If it is desired to go to aprevious screen, the back button 118 may be selected.

If the connection of the thermostat 10 and the equipment module wassuccessful, a screen may show that the thermostat is connected to theequipment module, as shown for example in FIG. 32H. A user may then beprompted to press or select the next button 120 to go to a screen askinga user to select whether accessories are to be connected to thethermostat 10, as shown for example in FIG. 32E. A user may selectwhether to connect accessories by selecting a YES button 128 or a NObutton 130. If the NO button 130 is selected, the thermostat setupportion 112 may be entered. If the YES button 128 is selected, the usermay be brought to an accessory connection screen, as shown for examplein FIG. 32P.

If the HVAC system is a zoned system, the accessory enrollment portion110 may ask a user to select whether the thermostat 10 controls anequipment module in Setup#125, as shown for example in FIG. 32T. A usermay scroll between YES and NO with the up arrow 114 and/or down arrow116. The YES or NO option may be selected when the desired option ishighlighted in the first area 104 and a next button 120 is pressed orselected to go to a next screen. If it is desired to go to a previousscreen, the back button 118 may be selected. If help is needed, a helpbutton 122 may be selected.

Once it has been indicated that the system is zoned, and that thethermostat 10 controls an equipment module system by selecting YES inthe screen of FIG. 32T, the accessory enrollment portion 110 may ask auser to press or select a next button 120 to begin connecting thethermostat 10 to the equipment module, as shown for example in anddiscussed with respect to FIGS. 32F-32I.

In instances where the equipment interface module and a humidity sensoraccessory or other accessory are to be used, substantially all or all ofthe relays and inputs on the interface module may be used. In oneexample, the thermostat 10 standing alone (e.g., as a host) may onlywork with a three (3) heat/two (2) cool heat pump system or a two (2)heat/two (2) cool conventional system, but when the thermostat 10 isused with the equipment interface module (e.g., a client), thethermostat 10 may control a four (4) heat/two (2) cool heat pump or athree (3) heat/two (2) cool conventional system. As such, in some cases,the functionality and/or capability of the thermostat 10 may increaseonce it is linked with an equipment interface module.

In another example, if the thermostat 10 is used as a standalonethermostat, there may only be one (1) input terminal for an indoorsensor, an outdoor sensor, and/or a discharge sensor. When thethermostat 10 is connected with the equipment interface module, thethermostat 10 may service for four (4) input terminals which may be usedwith an indoor sensor, an outdoor sensor, a discharge sensor, a returnsensor, a dry contact device for remote setback, a dry contact device todisplay alerts, and/or one or more other accessories.

In another example, if the thermostat 10 is used as a standalonethermostat, it may be able to control one of the humidification,dehumidification, or ventilation. When the thermostat 10 is connectedwith the equipment interface module, however, the thermostat 10 may besetup to control humidification, dehumidification, and/or ventilation.

Once it has been indicated that the system is zoned and that thethermostat 10 does not control an equipment interface module system byselecting NO in the screen of FIG. 32T or after the accessory and/orequipment interface module setups are complete, the accessory enrollmentportion 110 may ask a user to select whether the thermostat 10 iswirelessly connected to a zone panel in Setup#125, as shown in FIG. 32U.A user may scroll between YES and NO with the up arrow 114 and/or downarrow 116. The YES or NO option may be selected when the desired optionis highlighted in the first area 104 and a next button 120 is pressed orselected to go to a next screen. If it is desired to go to a previousscreen, the back button 118 may be selected. If help is needed, a helpbutton 122 may be selected.

Once it is indicated that the thermostat 10 is wirelessly connected to azone panel, the accessory enrollment portion 110 may ask for a zonenumber to setup in Setup#102, as shown for example in FIG. 32W. In someinstances, the interface display 100 may display a message in the firstarea 104 or any other area indicating ZONE NUMBER followed by a list ofnumbers. In some cases the list of zone numbers may include 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and/or any other number ofzones, as desired. Alternatively, one or more other messages may bedisplayed. Once the desired zone number is highlighted, the next button120 may be selected or pressed to connect the thermostat 10 as theselected zone to the wireless zone panel. If it is desired to go to aprevious screen, the back button 118 may be selected. If help is needed,a help button 122 may be selected.

Once the zone number for the thermostat 10 has been selected, interfacedisplay 100 may show a message indicating PRESS CONNECT AT ZONE PANEL,THEN PRESS NEXT, as shown for example in FIG. 32X. Alternatively, or inaddition, any other message may be displayed. In some instances, onlytwo (2) lines of the message may be displayed in the first area 104 andthe down arrow 116 and/or the up arrow 114 may be selected or pressed toscroll through the rest of the message. The next button 120 may beselected to begin connecting the thermostat 10 to the wireless zonepanel. If it is desired to go to a previous screen, the back button 118may be selected. If help is needed, a help button 122 may be selected.

Once the next button 120 has been select to connect the thermostat 10 tothe wireless zone panel, the interface display 100 may display a screenindicating that the thermostat is being connected to the wireless zonepanel by displaying a message indicating CONNECTING THERMOSTAT in thefirst area 104 or other area.

If the connection of the thermostat 10 to the wireless zone panel isunsuccessful, a screen may display a message indicating that theconnection failed, as shown for example in FIG. 32AA. If the connectionfailed due to no response or a weak signal, the screen may show amessage indicating CONNECTION FAILED. VERIFY THE CONNECT LED ON THEWIRELESS ZONE PANEL IS FLASHING AND YOU ARE AT LEAST 2 FEET AWAY. TRYCONNECTING AGAIN. If the connection failed due to an incompatibleinstance, the screen may show a message indicating CONNECTION FAILED.THIS ZONE IS CURRENTLY SET TO “WIRED” AT THE ZONE PANEL. PLEASE SET THISZONE TO “RF” AND TRY AGAIN. If the connection failed due to an invalidinstance, the screen may show a message indicating CONNECTION FAILED FORONE OF TWO REASONS. THE ZONE NUMBER SET ON THE THERMOSTAT DOES NOT MATCHTHE ZONE NUMBER ON THE TRUEZONE™ PANEL. PLEASE SET THE CORRECT ZONENUMBER ON THE THERMOSTAT. THE OTHER REASON WHY THE THERMOSTAT MAY NOTHAVE CONNECTED IS BECAUSE THE THERMOSTAT IS CURRENTLY SETUP TO CONNECTTO A TRUEZONE™ WIRELESS ADAPTER BUT YOU ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT TO ANEQUIPMENT INTERFACE MODULE. PRESS AND RELEASE THE CONNECT BUTTON AT THEEQUIPMENT INTERFACE MODULE TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE WIRELESS SETUP MODE.NEXT, PRESS AND RELEASE THE CONNECT BUTTON AT THE TRUEZONE™ WIRELESSADAPTER AND VERIFY THE CONNECTED LED FLASHES GREEN. THEN TRY CONNECTINGTHE THERMOSTAT AGAIN. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more othermessages may be displayed indicating a connection has failed. In someinstances, only two (2) lines of the message may be displayed in thefirst area 104 and the down arrow 116 and/or the up arrow 114 may beselected or pressed to scroll through the rest of the message. Once themessage has been displayed, the interface display 100 may ask a user toselect a zone number and press or select a next button 120 to restartconnecting the thermostat 10 to the wireless zone panel, as shown forexample in FIG. 32W. If it is desired to go to a previous screen, theback button 118 may be selected or pressed. Alternatively, pressing orselecting the back button 118 may bring the interface display to thezone number selection screen depicted in FIG. 32W.

If the connection of the thermostat 10 to the wireless zone panel wassuccessful, a screen may show that the thermostat is connected to thewireless zone panel, as shown for example in FIG. 32Z. A user may thenbe prompted to press or select the next button 120 to go the thermostatset up portion having an initial screen, as shown for example in FIG.32J. A user may select whether to connect accessories by selecting a YESbutton 128 or a NO button 130. If the NO button 130 is selected, thethermostat setup portion 112 may be entered. If the YES button 128 isselected, the user may be brought to an accessory connection screen, asshown for example in FIG. 32P.

If it is indicated that the system is zoned, and that the thermostat 10does not control an equipment module system by selecting NO in thescreen of FIG. 32T, or after the accessory and/or equipment interfacemodule setup is complete, and that the thermostat 10 is not to beconnected to a wireless zone panel by selecting NO in the screen of FIG.32U, the accessory enrollment portion 110 may ask a user to selectwhether the thermostat 10 is wired to a zone panel in Setup#125, asshown in FIG. 32V. A user may scroll between YES and NO with the uparrow 114 and/or down arrow 116. The YES or NO option may be selectedwhen the desired option is highlighted in the first area 104 and a nextbutton 120 is pressed or selected to go to a next screen. If it isdesired to go to a previous screen, the back button 118 may be selected.If help is needed, a help button 122 may be selected.

If the thermostat 10 is wired to a zone panel, the accessory enrollmentportion 110 may ask whether accessories are to be connected to thethermostat 10, as shown for example in, and described with respect to,FIG. 32E. If the thermostat 10 is not to be wired to a zone panel, thesystem may return to the screen shown for example in FIG. 32C askingwhether the system is zoned.

Installer setup may be accessed upon initial setup as discussed aboveand/or installer setup may be access through the menu screen 174, asdepicted in FIG. 34, which may be advanced to by selecting or pressingthe menu button 158 in the home screen 138, as shown for example in FIG.33. The menu list in the menu screen 174 may be scrolled through bypressing or selecting the up arrow 114 and/or the down arrow 116 untilan INSTALLER OPTIONS item is highlighted among other menu list itemsincluding, but not limited to: EDIT SCHEDULE, VIEW SCHEDULE, VACATIONMODE, HOLIDAY SCHEDULE, HOLIDAY MODE, EQUIPMENT STATUS, DATE/TIME,PREFERENCES, CLEAN SCREEN, SECURITY SETTINGS, DEALER INFORMATION,INSTALLER OPTIONS. Once INSTALLER OPTIONS is highlighted, the selectbutton 160 may be pressed or selected and/or the first area 104 may bepressed to go to installer options.

Once INSTALLER OPTIONS has been selected, the interface display 100 mayprompt a user to enter a password or passcode in a password screen 202,as shown for example in FIG. 37. In one example, a four digit number maybe used, where each digit may be any number from 0-9. Each digit may bescrolled between by pressing or selecting the left arrow 134 and/or theright arrow 136. Each number may be chosen by scrolling through thenumbers 0-9 with the up arrow 114 and/or the down arrow 116. Once thepassword or passcode is entered, the done button 126 may be pressed orselected to move onto the next screen. If it is desired to exit frominstaller options, a cancel button 132 may be selected.

After correctly entering a password or passcode, the interface display100 may display a list of installer set up items in the first area 104in an installer menu screen 204, as shown for example in FIG. 38. Theinstaller setup items list may include, but are not limited to,INSTALLER SETUP, INSTALLER TEST, DATA LOSS, WIRELESS MANAGER, RESET TODEFAULTS, DEVICE INFO, etc. The list of installer setup items may bescrolled through with the up arrow 114 and/or the down arrow 116 and ahighlighted item may be selected by pressing the select button 160 ortapping the first area 104. If it is desired to go to a previous screen,the back button 118 may be selected or pressed. If help is needed, thehelp button 122 may be selected or pressed.

In some instances, one or more (e.g., two or more, three or more, each)of the installer setup items may be displayed in the first area 104 witha name that describes the feature being set and/or value of an effectivesetting of the particular item. Once an INSTALLER SETUP item isselected, each item or step of the installer setup may have a setupnumber displayed in a set up number area 124 in the second area 102 ofthe interface display 100, as shown for example in FIGS. 32A-32C, whichmay provide a unique identifier of each installer setup item or step.

In some cases, an installer setup item name and value may be display inthe first area 104 of the interface display 100. For example, theinstaller setup item name may be displayed on a first line of text inthe first area 104 and the installer setup item value may be displayedon a second line of text in the first area 104.

The processor or controller of the thermostat 10 may be configured toanimate the installer setup item name and/or value when these featuresare optionally simultaneously displayed in the first area 104 of theinterface display 100 in a vertical, horizontal, and/or any otherdirection. In one example of displaying installer setup items, when theinstaller setup item name is switched between a displayed firstinstaller setup item and a second installer setup item (which may or maynot be simultaneously displayed with the first installer setup item),the processor or controller may be configured to animate the installersetup items in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to displaythe second installer setup item name. In another example, when switchingbetween a displayed first predefined installer setup item value and asecond predefined installer setup item value (which may or may not besimultaneously displayed with the first predefined installer setup itemvalue), the processor or controller may be configured to animate thepredefined installer setup item values in a vertical and/or horizontaldirection to display the second predefined installer setup item value.Illustratively, switching installer setup item names and/or values(e.g., predefined installer setup item values) in an animated manner maybe effected through touching and/or swiping an active touch areaassociated with the installer setup items in the first area 104 of theinterface display 100, touching a button offset from the interfacedisplay 100 (e.g. a hard button), and/or touching an active touch areaof one or more buttons (e.g., predefined buttons such as arrows 114, 116or other buttons) in the second area 102 of the interface display 100.

The animation of the installer setup items may be utilized todynamically adjust which installer setup items from a plurality ofpredefined installer setup items are displayed (e.g., displayed in asequential manner). Illustratively, dynamic adjustment of installersetup item names and/or values may include adjusting the displayedinstaller setup item names and/or values for an installer setup itembased on one or more installer setup item values selected for a previoussetup item.

In an illustrative method of setting up an HVAC controller, two or moreinstaller setup items may be sequentially displayed on the interfacedisplay 100 (e.g., in the first area 104 of the interface display 100).In some cases, each of the sequentially displayed installer setup itemsmay include an installer setup item name and value that may be displayedin the first area 104 of the interface display 100. Further, the methodmay include accepting a selection of a predefined fixed segment icon ofa first button in the second area 102 of the interface display 100.Selection of the predefined fixed segment icon in the second area 102may include touching the first button therein, which may cause theprocessor or controller of the thermostat 10 to display a predefinedinstaller setup item name and/or value that was not previously displayedin the first region of the interface display 100. Illustratively, witheach selection of a button in the second area 102 of the interfacedisplay and the display of the installer setup item name and/or value inthe first area 104, a setup item number that is associated with thedisplayed installer setup item name and/or value may be displayed in thesecond area 102 of the interface display 100. Additionally, oralternatively, the method may include dynamically adjusting whichinstaller setup items from a plurality of predefined installer setupitems are sequentially display, where the dynamically adjusting of thedisplayed predefined installer setup items may be in response to, andmay depend upon, a previously selected installer setup item or otherselection of any other option.

As discussed herein, the installer setup may be dynamically adjusted tofit the system capabilities in view of previous settings and may allowfor a reduced number of setup items shown to a user because only thosesettings that are relevant are displayed based on previous selections.For example, if a previous selection indicates that no humidificationsystem is present, settings related to a humidification are notdisplayed. As discussed throughout this disclosure, the up arrow 114and/or the down arrow 116 in the second area 102 to the side of thefirst area 104 may be used to adjust values and navigating between setupitems may be facilitated by using the back button 118 and/or the nextbutton 120.

Once the installer setup of the thermostat setup portion 112 has beenentered and a screen, as shown for example in FIG. 32J, is depicted onthe interface display 100 displaying the message PRESS NEXT TO BEGIN THEINSTALLER SETUP OR INSERT A MICROSD CARD NOW TO SETUP THE THERMOSTAT.Alternatively, or in addition, one or more other messages may bedisplayed. If a memory card is to be used for thermostat setup, a usermay insert a memory card (e.g., a microSD card) to setup the thermostat10, wherein the thermostat setting may be downloaded from the memorycard rather than entered/selected manually by the user.

Once installer set up has begun, the thermostat setup portion 112 mayask a user to select the thermostat type for thermostat 10 in Setup#104,as shown in FIG. 32K. One or more thermostat types may be in a listthrough which a user may scroll with the up arrow 114 and/or down arrow116. The list may include, among other options, PROGRAMMABLE andNON-PROGRAMMABLE. The thermostat type may be selected by scrollingthrough the list of thermostat types and when the desired thermostattype is highlighted in the first area 104, a next button 120 may bepressed or selected to go to a next screen. If it is desired to go to aprevious screen, the back button 118 may be selected. If help is needed,a help button 122 may be selected.

Once a thermostat type has been selected, the thermostat setup portion112 may ask a user to select the temperature scale for thermostat 10 inSetup#105, as shown in FIG. 32L. One or more temperature scales may bein a list through which a user may scroll with the up arrow 114 and/ordown arrow 116. The list may include, among other options, FAHRENHEIT,CELSIUS, etc. The temperature scale type may be selected by scrollingthrough the list of temperature scales and when the desired thermostattype is highlighted in the first area 104, a next button 120 may bepressed or selected to go to a next screen. If it is desired to go to aprevious screen, the back button 118 may be selected. If help is needed,a help button 122 may be selected.

Installer setup and the interface display 100 may be used to set up oneor more sensors internal to the thermostat 10 and/or one or more remoteindoor temperature sensors for temperature control, as shown for examplein FIG. 39A-39D depicting Setup#504. In some instances, the first area104 of the interface display 100 may display YES/NO questions that mayallow a user to setup the thermostat 10 to sense a temperature only atthe thermostat 10 for temperature control, sense at one of one or moreremote indoor sensors (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc.) fortemperature control, where any connected indoor temperature sensor maybe selected, or average any or all of the temperature sensors (e.g., thetemperature sensor(s) internal to the thermostat 10 and/or the remoteindoor temperature sensors) for temperature control. When multipleremote indoor sensors are connected to the thermostat 10, the first area104 of the interface display 100 may display the name provided to eachof the remote indoor sensors.

As shown for example in FIG. 39A, when setting up the temperature sensorfor temperature control, the first area 104 of the interface display 100may display USE T-STAT SENSOR TEMP CONTROL and allow a user to selectYES or NO. If NO is selected, the first area 104 of the interfacedisplay 100 may display USE INDOOR SENSOR [or other sensor name] FORTEMP CTRL and allow a user to select YES or NO, as shown for example inFIG. 39D. The thermostat 10 may continue to display messages in thefirst area 104 of the interface display 100 inquiring which temperaturesensor(s) to use for temperature control. Once a temperature sensor hasbeen selected for temperature control, the first area 104 of theinterface display 100 may display USE INDOOR SENSOR [or other sensorname] IN TEMP AVG and allow a user to select YES or NO, as shown forexample in FIGS. 39B and 39C. If yes is selected, the temperature sensormay be used by the thermostat 10 in averaging temperatures from one ormore temperatures sensors for temperature control. If NO is selected,the measurements from the temperature sensor will not be used in thetemperature average utilized by the thermostat 10 for temperaturecontrol. If NO is selected for all of the temperature sensors, thethermostat 10 may remove the next button 120 and/or the done button 126from the second area 102 of the interface display 100 at the lastquestion, which may force a user to go back and select a temperaturesensor for temperature control by the thermostat 10. Alternatively, thethermostat 10 may automatically select a temperature sensor to use fortemperature control if one is not chosen (e.g., the temperature sensorinternal to the thermostat 10). Similar selection of temperature sensorsconnected to the thermostat 10 may be utilized by thermostat 10 forhumidification control, dehumidification control, and/or controlling ofother features. Allowing for the optional selection of temperaturesensors connected to the thermostat 10 for controlling different system,may allow a user to determine which sensor will be used to control whichsystems or features of an HVAC system.

When it is desired to exit the installer setup of the thermostat setupportion 112, the done button 126 depicted in some or all of the screensof the installer setup may be selected or pressed. After selecting thedone button 126, a screen may display a message asking DO YOU WANT TOEXIST INSTALLER SETUP?, as shown for example in FIG. 32M. In response tothis question, a YES button 128 or a NO button 130 may be selected. Ifthe NO button 130 is selected, the last presented screen of theinstaller setup may be displayed on the interface display 100.

If the YES button 128 is selected, in the first area 104 an animatedscreen displaying a SAVING CHANGES message with an animation 206 (e.g.,a bar or other feature(s)) sliding from left to right, right to left,and/or any other animation indicating the thermostat is actively savingthe changes, as shown for example in FIGS. 32N and 41. Alternatively, orin addition, a different message may be displayed in the first area 104,if at all, and/or a different animation may be utilized, if at all. Oncethe changes to the installer setup of thermostat 10 have been saved, ahome screen as depicted in FIG. 32O may be displayed on the interfacedisplay 100. In some instances, the saving changes functionality of thethermostat 10 may apply to features of thermostat 10 that involve makingchanges to the thermostat 10 other than features related to theinstaller setup.

In some cases, the thermostat 10 may include an edit schedule mode thatmay be entered to allow a user to set, edit and/or modify an HVAC systemschedule. The edit schedule mode may be accessed from the menu screen174, as shown for example in FIG. 47A. Once the EDIT SCHEDULE item ishighlight in the menu list on the menu screen 174, the select button 160is pressed to enter the edit schedule mode. As shown for example in FIG.47B, the first area 104 of the interface display 100 may display amessage asking USE SCHEDULING ASSISTANT?, or display any other message.If the scheduling assistant will not be used, a user may select the NObutton 130 and enter an HVAC system schedule without the schedulingassistant.

If the YES button 128 is pressed or selected, the user will use thescheduling assistant to set the HVAC system schedule. As shown forexample in FIG. 47C, the first area 104 of the interface display 100 maydisplay a message of SELECT DAYS WITH SAME SCHEDULE. A user may thenselect which days will have the same schedule by pressing or selectingday buttons 176. Once one or more days have been selected, the firstarea 104 of the interface display 100 displays a message of PRESS NEXTAFTER SELECTING DAYS, as shown for example in FIG. 47D. Once the dayshaving the same schedule have been selected, the next button 120 maypressed or selected to go to the next screen. After selecting the nextbutton 120, the first area 104 of the interface display 100 may displaya message asking IS SOMEONE HOME ALL DAY?, as shown for example in FIG.47E. If someone is expected to home all day, the YES button 128 isselected and the scheduling assistant will skip the LEAVE and RETURNtime periods. If someone will not be home all day, the user will selectthe NO button 130.

After indicating if someone will be home all day, the schedulingassistant will ask the user to set a beginning time for each time periodof the HVAC system schedule. In the first area 104 of the interfacedisplay 100, a message asking WHEN DOES THE FIRST PERSON WAKE UP? may bedisplayed, as shown for example in FIG. 47F. After a time is set, thenext button 120 may be pressed or selected to go onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message askingWHEN DOES THE LAST PERSON LEAVE? may be displayed, as shown for examplein FIG. 47G. After a time is set, the next button 120 may be pressed orselected to go onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message askingWHEN DOES THE FIRST PERSON RETURN? may be displayed, as shown forexample in FIG. 47H. After a time is set, the next button 120 may bepressed or selected to go onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message askingWHEN DOES THE LAST PERSON GO TO SLEEP? may be displayed, as shown forexample in FIG. 47I. After a time is set, the next button 120 may bepressed or selected to go onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingSET YOUR WAKE TEMPERATURE may be displayed, as shown for example in FIG.47J. After a heat temperature 178 and/or a cool temperature 180 havebeen set, the next button 120 may be pressed or selected to go onto thenext screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingSET YOUR LEAVE TEMPERATURE may be displayed, as shown for example inFIG. 47K. After a heat temperature 178 and/or a cool temperature 180have been set, the next button 120 may be pressed or selected to go ontothe next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingSET YOUR RETURN TEMPERATURE may be displayed, as shown for example inFIG. 47L. After a heat temperature 178 and/or a cool temperature 180have been set, the next button 120 may be pressed or selected to go ontothe next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingSET YOUR SLEEP TEMPERATURE may be displayed, as shown for example inFIG. 47M. After a heat temperature 178 and/or a cool temperature 180have been set, the next button 120 may be pressed or selected to go ontothe next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message askingSCHEDULE YOUR FAN TOO? may be displayed, as shown for example in FIG.47N. If fan schedule will not be set at this time, the user selects theNO button 130 to go to a screen asking SCHEDULE MORE DAYS? in the firstarea 104 of the interface display 100, as shown for example in FIG. 47S.If more days are to be scheduled, the user selects the YES button 128and the above steps will be repeated for the other days. If no more daysare to be scheduled, the user selects the NO button 130 to go to thenext screen. The next screen asks REVIEW SCHEDULE? in the first area 104of the interface display 100, as shown for example in FIG. 47T. If theschedule is not to be reviewed, the user selects the NO button 130 andthe thermostat 10 will display saving changes as shown in FIG. 48. Ifthe schedule is to be reviewed, the user selects the YES button 128 toreview the schedule and go to a review schedule screen on the interfacedisplay 100, as shown in FIG. 47U.

If the fan schedule will be set at this time, the user selects the YESbutton 128 to go to the next screen. In the first area 104 of theinterface display 100, a message indicating WAKE FAN SETTING with a listof fan settings may be displayed, as shown for example in FIG. 47O. Thelist of fan settings may include AUTO, ON, CIRC, and/or other fansettings. A fan setting may be selected by highlighting a desiredsetting in the list of fan settings, and then selecting the next button120 to move onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingLEAVE FAN SETTING with a list of fan settings may be displayed, as shownin for example in FIG. 47P. The list of fan settings may include AUTO,ON, CIRC, and/or other fan settings. A fan setting may be selected byhighlighting a desired setting in the list of fan settings, and thenselecting the next button 120 to move onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingRETURN FAN SETTING with a list of fan settings may be displayed, asshown in for example in FIG. 47Q. The list of fan settings may includeAUTO, ON, CIRC, and/or other fan settings. A fan setting may be selectedby highlighting a desired setting in the list of fan settings, and thenselecting the next button 120 to move onto the next screen.

In the first area 104 of the interface display 100, a message indicatingSLEEP FAN SETTING with a list of fan settings may be displayed, as shownin for example in FIG. 47S. The list of fan settings may include AUTO,ON, CIRC, and/or other fan settings. A fan setting may be selected byhighlighting a desired setting in the list of fan settings, and thenselecting the next button 120 to move onto the next screen.

Once the next button 120 has been selected or pressed after the fansetting has been selected for the last time period (e.g., the RETURNtime period), a screen asking SCHEDULE MORE DAYS? in the first area 104of the interface display 100 may be displayed, as shown for example inFIG. 47S. If more days are to be scheduled, the user selects the YESbutton 128 and the above steps will be repeated for the other days. Ifno more days are to be scheduled, the user selects the NO button 130 togo to the next screen. The next screen may ask REVIEW SCHEDULE? in thefirst area 104 of the interface display 100, as shown for example inFIG. 47T. If the schedule is not to be reviewed, the user selects the NObutton 130 and the thermostat 10 will display saving changes as shown inFIG. 48. If the schedule is to be reviewed, the user selects the YESbutton to review the schedule and go to a review schedule screen on theinterface display 100, as shown in FIG. 47U. Any time the edit schedulemode is exited, changes to the HVAC system schedule will be implemented.

As noted above, the thermostat 10 may include a view schedule mode thatmay be entered to allow a user to view and/or verify their HVAC systemschedule. The view schedule mode may be accessed from the menu screen174, as shown for example in FIG. 34 or viewed after a schedule issetup. The view schedule mode may be offered regardless of whether theHVAC schedule is setup with use of a scheduling assistant, setupmanually by a user, or downloaded from a memory card. From the homescreen 138, the view schedule mode may be selected by selecting the menubutton 158 and entering the menu screen 174. A view schedule mode may beselected by scrolling through the menu list displayed in the first area104 of the interface display 100 of the menu screen 174 until VIEWSCHEDULE is highlighted, and then pressing or selecting the selectbutton 160 or tapping within the first area 104.

A view schedule screen 184, as shown for example in FIGS. 40-43, maydisplay several buttons in the second area 102 of the interface display100 and may display several pieces of information in the second area 102and the first area 104 of the interface display 100. For example, theview schedule screen 184 may include one or more of a wake button 186, aleave button 188, return button 190, a sleep button 192, and/or a donebutton 126 in the second area 102 adjacent the first area 104 of theinterface display. The wake button 186, the leave button 188, the returnbutton 190, and the sleep button 192, when pressed, may allow a user toview the HVAC system schedule for the time period of the scheduleassociated with the button (e.g., the wake time period, the leave timeperiod, the return time period, and/or the sleep time period). In somecases, while in the view schedule mode, the first area 104 may displaythe time period of the schedule, the fan setting for the time period,and/or other information, and the second area 102 may display the time atime period begins 194, a heat setting 178, a cool setting 180 and/orother information.

When the thermostat 10 is in a view schedule mode, the interface display100 of the thermostat 10 may automatically group the days that have thesame schedule by showing a check mark or other marking in or about theday buttons 176 (e.g., Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) displayed inthe second area 102 of the interface display 100, as shown for examplein FIG. 40. In one example, if Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have thesame HVAC system schedule, Thursday and Friday have the same HVAC systemschedule, and Saturday and Sunday have the same HVAC schedule, theinterface display will show check marks or other markings in the daybuttons 176 for Monday (Mon), Tuesday (Tue), and Wednesday (Wed)indicating these days have the same HVAC system schedule, as shown forexample in FIG. 41. If a user presses on either of the day buttons 176for Thursday (Thu) or Friday (Fri), the second area 102 of the interfacedisplay 100 will show check marks or other markings in the day buttons176 for both Thursday (Thu) and Friday (Fri) indicating these days havethe same HVAC system schedule, as shown for example in FIG. 42. If auser presses on either of the day buttons 176 for Saturday (Sat) orSunday (Sun), the second area 102 of the interface display 100 will showcheck marks or other markings in the day buttons 176 for both Saturday(Sat) and Sunday (Sun) indicating these days have the same HVAC systemschedule, as shown for example in FIG. 43.

While verifying a schedule, if a user would like to make a change, theuser may interact with the first area 104 of the interface display 100,a heat temperature 178, a cool temperature 180, or other featuredisplayed on the interface display 100 to view and/or interact with achange schedule screen 182, as shown in for example FIG. 44. From thechange schedule screen 182, the day buttons 176 may be selected to addand/or delete a day from a schedule (e.g., see FIGS. 44, 45, 46), changetemperature settings for heating and/or cooling by selecting or pressingthe temperature setting arrows 150, change a time associated with a Wakesetting by selecting or pressing time setting arrows 196, change a timeassociated with a Leave setting by selecting or pressing time settingarrows 196, change a time associated with a Return setting by selectingor pressing time setting arrows 196, change a time associated with aSleep setting by selecting or pressing time setting arrows 196, modify afan setting by selecting or pressing a fan setting button 198, and/orcancel time period for the schedule by selecting or pressing the cancelperiod button 200. In some instances, the first area 104 of theinterface display 100 may indicate which setting is being modified. Forexample, the first area 104 of the interface display 100 in the changeschedule screen may display which time period settings are being changed(e.g., SET WAKE TIME & TEMPERATURE, as shown for example in FIGS.44-46). When the HVAC system settings have been modified, selecting thedone button 126 may save the modifications and return the thermostat 10to a view schedule mode, and interface display 100 may display the viewschedule mode screen 184. Alternatively, the thermostat 10 may display adifferent screen on the interface display 100 after selecting the donebutton 126, such as the home screen 138 or other screen.

FIGS. 49A-49F depicts an illustrative flow 400 of screens for theinterface display 100 when interacting with a weather mode of thethermostat 10 accessible from the menu screen 174 when weatherinformation is available. FIG. 49G depicts an illustrative flow 500 wheninteracting with a weather mode of the thermostat 10 accessible from themenu screen 174 when weather information is not available. AlthoughFIGS. 49A-49G depict illustrative flows of the weather mode of thethermostat 10, other flows may be available, as desired, for navigatingthe weather mode.

The weather mode of the thermostat 10 may display weather relatedinformation about today's forecast, todays actual weather readings(e.g., temperature, humidity, dew point, wind chill, wind direction,wind speed, weather warnings, weather watches, etc.), today's forecastdescription, forecasts for future time periods, and/or forecastdescriptions for future time periods. Illustratively, forecastdescriptions may include, but are not limited to, SUNNY, MOSTLY SUNNY,PARTLY SUNNY, PARTLY CLOUDY, HAZY SUNSHINE, MOSTLY CLOUDY, CLOUDY,DREARY, FOGGY, SHOWERS, THUNDERSTORMS, THUNDER SHOWERS, RAIN, FLURRIES,SNOW, ICE, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN, RAIN AND SNOW, HOT, COLD, AND/OR WINDY.

As shown in FIG. 49A, screen 402 depicts a home screen 138 as describedherein. From the home screen 138, a menu button 158 may be selected tomove to screen 404. In screen 404, a list of menu options may bedisplayed in the first area 104. The list of menu options may bescrolled through by swiping within the first area 104 and/or byselecting the up arrow 114 and/or the down arrow 116. A user may scrolluntil the menu option WEATHER is highlighted. By touching either thehighlighted menu option or by touching the select button 160, today'sweather and/or weather forecast may be displayed in the first area 104of the interface display 100 in screen 406, as shown in FIG. 49B. Toview further forecast and/or weather information for today, a user mayselect the up arrow 114 and/or down arrow 116 and view the completeforecast in the first area 104, as shown in screens 420 (FIG. 49B), 422(FIG. 49C), and 424 (FIG. 49C), which depict current weather readings.In some instances, a weather icon may be displayed in the second area102, which when touched, may cause the weather information to bedisplayed in the first area 104.

In some instances, weather forecasts and forecast descriptions forfuture days or time periods may be shown. The number of future days ortime period for which forecasts may be viewed may be any number, forexample, the thermostat 10 may be able to display weather forecasts forup to one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days,seven days, and so on. To view weather forecasts for future days, thenext button 120 may be selected in any one of screens 406, 408, 410,416, 418, 420, 422, and/or 424. If a user selects the next button 120from one or more of screens 422 and 424, a user is brought to screen 408depicting the weather forecast for tomorrow, as shown in FIG. 49D. Whena user gets to a screen depicting the last day for which a weatherforecast is available, such as in screens 412, 414 (FIG. 44F), the nextbutton 120 may be removed from the interface display 100 and/or may notbe an active touch area. To view a previous day's forecast, a user maytouch the back button 118. When a user is finished viewing the weatherand weather forecast information in the weather mode, the user mayselect the done button 126 to return to the menu in screen 404 or returnto the home screen 138 in screen 402.

FIG. 49G depicts a flow 500 of entering a weather mode when weatherinformation is unavailable to the thermostat 10. From the menu screen502, weather may be selected in the first area 104 of the interfacedisplay 100. When the weather mode is selected from the first area 104and weather information is unavailable, screen 504 may be displayed andthe first area 104 may indicate weather information is CURRENTLY NOTAVAILABLE. A user may then select the done button 126 to return to themenu screen 175 or the home screen 138.

Screens, buttons, and/or other features of the interface display 100that are not particularly described, but appear to be similar toscreens, buttons, and/or other features of the interface display 100that are particularly described, are to be interpreted in the samemanner as the similarly appearing screens, buttons, and/or otherfeatures particularly described with respect to the interface display100. Additionally, if a feature is shown in one screen, but not anotherscreen, such omitting of the feature does not mean it cannot or is notincluded in another screen. The highlighted (e.g., grayed) buttonsdepicted in the illustrative screens are pressed or selected to moveonto a next screen (e.g., a next screen may moving forward in the flow,moving backward in the flow, or jumping out of order in the flow). Ifmore than one button is highlighted in a single screen of the interfacedisplay 100, the flow diagram is depicting which screen of the interfacedisplay 100 is next for each button selection.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure maybe manifested in a variety of forms other than the examples describedherein. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure and asdescribed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An HVAC controller, comprising: a controller; atouch screen display operatively coupled to the controller, the touchdisplay comprising: a first region having an array of fixed segmentpixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns fordisplaying an image in a dot matrix format; a second region having aplurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons; and thecontroller is configured to display one or more selectable options inthe first region of the display for selection by a user, the controlleris further configured to accept selection of a displayed selectableoption by detecting a user touch of the displayed selectable option viathe touch screen display.
 2. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein thefirst region simultaneously displays two or more selectable options forselection, and the controller defines an active touch area for each ofthe two or more selectable options.
 3. The HVAC controller of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to highlight a selected selectableoption.
 4. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to highlight a selectable option upon a first touch, and toselect the selectable option upon a second touch.
 5. The HVAC controllerof claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to recognizes a swipingmotion in the first region to navigate between two or more selectableoptions.
 6. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein the one or moreselectable options comprise: one or more programmable options used toset settings that are used for controlling subsequent operation and/orfunctionality of the HVAC controller; and/or one or more menu optionsused to navigate to a menu that allows a user to change a programmableoption that modifies subsequent operation and/or functionality of theHVAC controller.
 7. The HVAC controller of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to simultaneously display two lines of text inthe first region of the touch screen display, wherein each line of textcorresponds to a different one of the selectable options.
 8. The HVACcontroller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to allow auser to scroll through two or more selectable options in the firstregion, and as the user scrolls through the two or more selectableoptions, the selectable options appear to move.
 9. The HVAC controllerof claim 1, wherein the second region has a plurality of predefinedtouch regions that each corresponds to a different button.
 10. The HVACcontroller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to display apredefined fixed segment graphical icon of a button in the second regionof the touch screen display, wherein touching the button in the secondregion of the display causes the controller to highlight a differentselectable option in the first region of the touch screen display. 11.An HVAC controller, comprising: a controller; a touch screen displayoperatively coupled to the controller, the touch display comprising: afirst region having an array of fixed segment pixels arranged in aplurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image ina dot matrix format; a second region having a plurality of predefinedfixed segment graphical icons; the controller is configured to displayone or more programmable options in the first region of the display forselection by a user, the programmable options used to set settings thatare used for controlling subsequent operation and/or functionality ofthe HVAC controller; the controller is further configured to acceptselection of a displayed programmable option by detecting a user touchof the displayed programmable option via the touch screen display; andthe controller is further configured to display a predefined fixedsegment graphical icon of a button in the second region of the touchscreen display, wherein touching the button in the second region of thedisplay causes the controller to highlight a different programmableoption in the first region of the touch screen display.
 12. The HVACcontroller of claim 11, wherein the first region simultaneously displaystwo or more programmable options for selection, and the controllerdefines an active touch area for each of the two or more programmableoptions.
 13. The HVAC controller of claim 11, wherein the controller isconfigured to highlight a selected programmable option.
 14. The HVACcontroller of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured tohighlight a programmable option upon a first touch, and to select theprogrammable option upon a second touch.
 15. The HVAC controller ofclaim 11, wherein the controller is configured to recognizes a swipingmotion in the first region to navigate between two or more programmableoptions.
 16. The HVAC controller of claim 11, wherein the controller isconfigured to simultaneously display two lines of text in the firstregion of the touch screen display, wherein each line of textcorresponds to a different one of the programmable options.
 17. The HVACcontroller of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to allow auser to scroll through two or more programmable options in the firstregion, and as the user scrolls through the two or more programmableoptions, the programmable options appear to move in a verticaldirection.
 18. An HVAC controller, comprising: a controller; a touchscreen display operatively coupled to the controller, the touch displaycomprising: a first region having an array of fixed segment pixelsarranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns fordisplaying an image in a dot matrix format; a second region having aplurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons; the controller isconfigured to display one or more selectable options in the first regionof the display for selection by a user; and the controller is configuredto display a predefined fixed segment graphical icon of a button in thesecond region of the touch screen display, wherein touching the buttonin the second region of the display causes the controller to highlight aselectable option in the first region of the touch screen display. 19.The HVAC controller of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured toaccept selection of a highlighted selectable option by detecting a usertouch of a highlighted selectable option via the touch screen display.20. The HVAC controller of claim 18, wherein touching the button in thesecond region of the display again causes the controller to highlightanother selectable option in the first region of the touch screendisplay.